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In Jacksonville, an intense confrontation over an alleged theft at a local smoke shop has resulted in two individuals suffering severe injuries. The incident unfolded on a Saturday afternoon at a shopping plaza in Lakeshore, a community that previously felt secure but is now grappling with the shock of violence in their midst.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports that the dramatic turn of events began when a young smoke shop clerk, believed to be in his early 20s, approached a person suspected of theft in the parking lot of the store situated on Shirley Avenue. As tensions escalated, a second individual drew a firearm, unleashing a barrage of bullets.
Authorities indicate that gunfire was exchanged during the altercation, resulting in the clerk sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest. He was urgently transported to a nearby hospital, where he is battling life-threatening injuries. Another man, also seemingly in his early 20s, was struck in the abdomen and remains in critical condition.
The harrowing episode has left the local community and the smoke shop’s employees deeply unsettled. Roni Masabani, a colleague of the injured clerk, expressed his profound concern, highlighting the close-knit relationship they shared and the distressing impact of the shooting on those who knew the victims.
Roni Masabani, a coworker of the injured clerk, said the two were close and that the shooting left him worried.
“I just hope he, like, makes it through because he’s in a life-threatening situation, my boy Matt,” Masabani said.
The smoke shop opened just six months ago, and Masabani said the shooting has already made customers hesitant to enter, even though the incident occurred in the parking lot.
“We have nothing to rob in here. We have nothing but vapes. So nothing worth losing your life.”
The plaza is home to family-oriented businesses, including a gymnastics studio, karate school, doggy daycare, and a church. Residents and business owners said they are still shocked.
Ronni Monday, a longtime resident, said he regularly visits the area and was stunned by the violence.
“I was sad about it. You know hope somebody, you know hope they live, and you know hope they’re all right. And it was just a shock to me, because I’ve been on this side of town for that long, and they heard nothing or seen nothing,” he said.
Mark Costley, a karate instructor who moved his business to the plaza last year, echoed the sentiment.
“I’m extremely surprised. Actually, we don’t have anything like that. A lot of businesses have been around here, and they’ve never had any problems,” Costley said.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, and several people were detained for questioning. No arrests were immediately announced Monday.