JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gunfire blocks from the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Saturday night left an 18-year-old man injured and bullet holes in several cars, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Officers were in the area of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard just after 11 p.m. when they heard gunshots and went to investigate. They found shell casings in front of Avenue Market and evidence of a crime, police said.
Shortly after the shooting, police said, the teen showed up to UF Health Jacksonville with a gunshot wound to the back. He told officers he was shot while in a vehicle traveling on the boulevard.
The teen is expected to be OK.
Several people who were in the area at the time told police that their vehicles had been damaged. JSO reported that five vehicles were hit by gunfire. Detectives said they did not have a description of the shooter.
"A lot of people heard, 'Pow, pow, pow,' and they started running," Tony Collins said.
News4Jax spoke with Kenny Bush, who said he's used to hearing gunshots and that it's a shame to see a shooting happen so close to the fair.
"Ain't nothing new around here," Bush said. "They do it every other day."
News4Jax spoke with former Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer James Brown, who had some safety reminders for people heading to the fair.
"Parental supervision is always preferred," Brown said. "That would drastically cut down on incidents such as this."
Brown also recommended staying in groups of three or more and pay close attention to surroundings.
Police do not believe the shooting is related to the Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, which closed its gates at the Jacksonville Fairground about 10 minutes before the gunshots were heard. The fair continues through Nov. 12.