JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies spent hours Saturday afternoon investigating a possible shooting at the Village at San Jose apartment complex after witnesses reported hearing gunshots, but officials have yet to confirm what happened or whether anyone was injured.
The response is centered at the Village of San Jose Apartments on Auburn Road, off University Boulevard, where investigators taped off a stretch of road as the investigation continued into the evening.
A detective and a crime scene unit arrived on scene Saturday afternoon. Officers were seen interviewing neighbors and possible witnesses in the area.
JSO has not released a statement or confirmed the nature of the call.
For at least one neighbor, the response unfolded right in front of him.
The man, who asked not to be identified on camera, told News4JAX he was walking with a friend toward the complex pool when police arrived suddenly and aggressively.
“The police drove up and drove over the curb onto the grass and wanted to know, did we hear gunfire?” he said. “And then he wanted to know what address. And then when we said that, the people were running outside with the baby clenched. And he ran over to them with the defibrillator. And then within one minute, fire rescue and everything was here.”
The frightening scene drew a heavy law enforcement presence to Auburn Road, leaving many nearby residents in shock.
Several neighbors told News4JAX they heard what sounded like gunshots.
“I don’t know if anybody was shot, but apparently shots were fired,” one neighbor said.
News4JAX is working to confirm those details with JSO.
For some who live near the complex, Saturday’s police response was not a surprise.
One neighbor, who lives directly across the street, said he has watched police activity at the Village of San Jose Apartments increase over time. He told News4JAX he is now actively trying to discourage his college-age son from moving in.
“I’m surprised. I’m trying to discourage my son from moving into this place,” he said. He’s still going through college and, you know, breaking out and trying to do his own thing," the neighbor said.
But Saturday’s response, he said, confirmed concerns he already had.
“Yes, definitely. I’ve seen it before. Lots of cops going up and down the breezeways. Looked like more drug-related activities,” he said.
Saturday’s incident has renewed calls from some residents for better security at the complex.
“Could definitely use some on-site security,” one neighbor told News4JAX.
Others expressed a more cautious hope for the community’s future.
“I just hope the good people stay good — and if they can get rid of the problems, “ a neighbor said.
News4JAX is continuing to work to get answers from JSO. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.