Woodstock argument-turned-shooting leaves 2 in the hospital, 1 in critical condition

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two people are recovering in the hospital tonight from a shooting in the Woodstock area. It happened at the Huron Sophia Apartment Complex Wednesday afternoon.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

JSO says it stemmed from an argument between a few people before several shots rang out.

Diane Lynskey has lived in the Woodstock neighborhood for over 50 years, and she says the violence has gotten out of hand.

“We have six children living in this house and right now, I’m very concerned for them – they can’t play out in the yard,” Lynskey said.

Today, she heard a handful of gunshots go off at the Huron Sophia Apartment complex.

“I’m sitting out here on my front porch, and all of a sudden 5 shots ring off out on the back side of that apartment complex again,” Lynskey said. “One more that’s running for his life.”

Police were called to the area around 3:30 p.m. about two men who got shot.

Sgt Richardson is with JSO’s violent crimes unit, and he says the men are in their early to mid-20s. He says one man is in critical condition after he was shot in the chest, stomach and arm. And the other person has non-life-threatening injuries.

Earlier this afternoon, over a dozen police vehicles had blocked off two areas with evidence markers on the ground – the parking lot and the back of a building.

Sgt. Richardson said detectives have surveillance video showing multiple people had been arguing before the shots were fired. He says one of the victims did not live at the apartment complex.

Several neighbors say this isn’t the first time this has happened. Violence has rocked this neighborhood for several months now.

“It has gotten now to where every day to every other day, there is violence, especially drugs,” Lynskey said. “And there are shootings too.”

This week, JSO said they had arrested five people in connection with a murder that happened at this same apartment complex in October, last year. They range in ages from 16 to 21.

“It is a concern that we have,” Sgt Richardson said. “Detectives are reviewing the past shootings to see if there is any type of connection.”

JSO says they have detained one person, but they are not sure of their involvement. So, they are still working to identify a suspect

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to JSO. They can do so by contacting the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office directly at 904-630-0500 or via email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org. Alternatively, tips can be provided anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.