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Authorities are on the hunt for a suspect linked to a shooting incident that unfolded early Sunday morning near Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case as they search for leads.
The incident came to light when police responded to a call from a local hospital around 3 a.m. A man in his 30s had been admitted with a gunshot wound to his leg, according to Sgt. Scott in a news briefing. Fortunately, the injury was not life-threatening.
Preliminary findings, based on limited communication with the victim, revealed that the shooting stemmed from an altercation in a parking lot close to the intersection with Hodges Boulevard. The victim was involved in a dispute with another man who, after firing the shot, escaped the scene on foot.
Local business owner Ian Worthington, who runs the Oceana Diner, recounted arriving at his restaurant Sunday morning with plans to open for business. Instead, he found the surrounding area cordoned off as police conducted their investigation at the active crime scene.
Ian Worthington, the owner of Oceana Diner, said he arrived Sunday morning expecting to open his restaurant — only to find the area taped off as an active crime scene.
“It was kind of a shock to see that, all the officers. I was waiting on CSI to get in,” Worthington said.
“I live a mile and a half away. I feel safe, I mean, I’m out at nighttime walking the dog and running around it. It’s not like I’m out partying at two, 3 o’clock in the morning, so I don’t know what happens at that time of night,” Worthington said. “But to me, I will assume this part of town is the more safe part of town, but anything can happen anywhere, I guess.”
He says he hopes to see a stronger police presence in the area moving forward.
“I think just the deterrence of seeing police officers in the area and cars rolling around just checking on everybody, making sure everybody’s all set, and I think that definitely helps it,” said Worthington.
Details regarding what led up to the fight and where the two people were before the shooting were not immediately available.
Anyone with information on the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office directly at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. Anonymous tips can also be left through First Coast Crime Stoppers.