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A startling incident unfolded in Jacksonville’s Springfield area early Sunday morning, leaving a man in his early 30s hospitalized. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the man was shot during a violent struggle over a rifle with an intruder in his own home.
According to JSO Sgt. Richardson, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of North Pearl Street around 10:50 a.m. in response to the shooting. The victim, who had been asleep, awoke to find an unknown assailant in his room, armed and demanding his possessions.
As the confrontation intensified, the two wrestled for control of the firearm. During the struggle, the rifle discharged twice, with one of the bullets striking the homeowner in the leg. Following the altercation, the suspect managed to flee the scene, escaping in an undetermined direction.
The incident has raised concerns about safety in the community, as law enforcement continues to investigate and search for the suspect involved in this alarming home invasion. The victim, meanwhile, is recovering from his injuries in the hospital.
During a fight over the gun, the rifle discharged twice, striking the victim once in the leg, Richardson said. The suspect then fled the area in an unknown direction.
Richardson said the victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and added that his girlfriend was also in the home at the time of the shooting, but was not hurt.
According to Richardson, the suspect had on a ski mask and was dressed in all black.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500. To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
