A 12-year-old is on the mend after being admitted to the hospital following a shooting incident Sunday evening at Clanzel T. Brown Park, as per reports from the sheriff’s office.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Authorities from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are on the hunt for the shooter involved in a Sunday night incident in which a young boy was shot. The incident occurred close to 9 p.m. at Clanzel T. Brown Park, near the confluence of Moncrief Road and West 35th Street.
Law enforcement confirmed that the young boy was hospitalized and is now in the process of recovery.
The sheriff’s office released details indicating that a group of youngsters gathered at the park that night. Allegedly, a portion of this group temporarily left, returning armed. An altercation between the split factions is believed to have subsequently resulted in the boy receiving a gunshot wound to the leg.
District 10 City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, who oversees this Jacksonville area, expressed belief in the efficacy of city measures to reduce such violence by expanding recreational activities for kids and teens throughout the summer break.
“I think they’re looking for something they can call their own, but they don’t realize how dangerous those pop-ups are,” Pittman said about the recent cases of teen gatherings ending in violence.
At Clanzel T. Brown Park, there is a playground, swimming pool, covered basketball courts and a Boys and Girls Club. Now, she says it’s up to the people responsible for this kind of violence to start taking responsibility for themselves.
“We have to continue to do what we do, but we also have to get the kids to take responsibility that their actions could endanger someone,” said Pittman. “I don’t want just because they’re out of school for that to be an excuse.”
She says that parents and guardians can also help by making sure they’re aware of what their kids are getting into, especially while they’re on summer break.
“You gotta know what your children are doing, you know what I mean?” Pittman said. “Especially at 12 years old.”
No arrests have been made at this time. JSO is asking anyone who might have information regarding what happened to call their tips line at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).