JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hours after a quadruple shooting sent young people scattering from a “takeover” in Jacksonville Beach, another four people were injured in a shooting at a completely separate street party on Jacksonville’s Eastside, according to authorities.
Lt. Frederick Dash with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Robbery and Violent Crimes Section said that just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a ShotSpotter call on Jessie Street near A Philip Randolph Boulevard.
They found a 34-year-old woman with a gunshot wound, and she was taken to the hospital by paramedics.
Not long after, three other adults showed up at a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds. The men, ages 37 and 43, and another woman, age 39.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, and all four victims were in stable condition.
Dash said investigators learned the shooting happened during a street party near Jessie Street and A Philip Randolph Boulevard.
“Based on the evidence on the scene and ShotSpotter, anywhere from 12-15 shots (were fired),” Dash said.
They are still searching for suspects and a motive for the shooting, but Dash said the incident does not appear to be gang-related.
News4JAX found trash up and down the sidewalk, where the party took place, including cups and plastic wraps, a strainer, utensils, and even a dish full of food.
Neighbors said friendly street parties and gatherings are common in the neighborhood, and Bishop Harry Williams of In the Word International Church said the Eastside Brotherhood Club across the street, which his father helped start, does charitable work throughout the community.
“Everybody’s just coming and hanging outside. It’s just getting larger and larger, but mostly the people who go inside this building, they’re laid back, they’re older people. No trouble,” Williams said.
He was shocked by the scene as he passed by Sunday morning, saying he grew up in the area and has been back for 18 years, leading a local church.
“It’s a pretty tight-knit community,” Williams said. “Everybody loves each other, everybody supports each other.”
Williams encouraged members of the community to try to de-escalate these situations before they become violent.
“If they see something, don’t be afraid, tell them, ‘Hey man, look, I see you got a gun on your side, put it in the car, man. Let’s just talk, let’s hang out, have a good time,’” Williams said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact JSO at 904-630-0500, at Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS, or they can leave an online tip at JSOCrimetips@Jaxsheriff.org.
The quadruple shooting came just hours after three adults and a juvenile were wounded by gunfire during a “takeover” event in Jacksonville Beach.