JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two separate shootings on the city’s Westside left two men dead and another in critical condition after incidents early and late Sunday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
An early Sunday morning shooting on West 11th Street killed one man and sent another to the hospital, police said.
Recommended Videos
On late Sunday evening, a man believed by JSO to be 20 to 25 years old was found shot to death near a playground at Victory Pointe Apartments off Lane Avenue; some neighbors said the victim appeared to be a teen.
Residents at the apartment complex described feeling shaken.
“To be honest with you, we usually don’t have things like that,” Bonita Stewart said, who has lived in the neighborhood for 21 years. “You very seldom see this. We don’t have that in Victory Pointe.”
A neighbor who declined to be named said the shooting made her feel unsafe in her own home.
“For that to happen where my kids are, this is awful,” she said.
Several residents said people are reluctant to speak to police. Stewart said there is a local “code” against talking about crimes, but added, “If the shoe is on the other foot, you would want someone to tell about who did it to your family member.”
JSO said investigators have encountered similar unwillingness to cooperate at the West 11th Street scene.
Anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers, noting tips there are anonymous and can lead to a reward if they result in an arrest.
“JSO’s not going to show up at my door, are they? No, sir — you’re completely anonymous,” Hancock said.
He warned that contacting the sheriff’s office directly by email or phone could constitute a public record.
Anyone with information about either case is asked to call 904-630-0500, by email at JSOCRIMETIPS@JAXSHERIFF.ORG, or anonymously Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.