Local

Security ramped up at Eureka Gardens after mass shooting

The images of crime scene tape, bullet holes and technicians gathering evidence is not what anyone wanted to see at Eureka Gardens.

Despite the efforts underway to improve the troubled apartment complex, the focus now turns to how seven people ended up shot and how three shooters got away around 12:30 a.m. on Monday.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, three people walked up to a group of people and fired more than 50 rounds.

Of the seven victims, two are in life-threatening condition.

One local woman who did not want to be identified said she moved out of the apartment complex because of crime.

“This is what he gets to see in his first day of school. It supposed to be an exciting day, but instead he looks to the side and is like 'Momma, what's going on?’” she said.

Chief Marcus Williams, president and CEO of security firm Protective Enterprises Florida hired by property owners, said he usually assigns anywhere from four to six officers to Eureka Gardens.

He said since the shooting they’ve brought in 10 officers.

“Our efforts is not going to stop. We're going to continue to partner with our residents. We're going to continue to be on foot in this area,” said Williams.

Action News Jax spotted armed security guards patrolling the area Monday night. They’re also equipped with body cameras.

The apartment complex also has a number of surveillance cameras.

“We had a briefing, a command staff meeting today, we. We looked at ways that we can [be] better and as of right now we're going to continue to push,” said Williams.

Tenants Association President Tracy Grant has been working for more than a year to improve the quality of life at Eureka Gardens. She said things were starting to turn around.

“It was a whole lot better; people felt like ‘I can walk in my community freely, I can be comfortable.’ Now this is putting everybody back in their apartments,” said Grant.

Grant said she’d like to see more security officers assigned to Eureka Gardens.

“This is 400 units, four to five could just cover the front, but I know they have to do what they do until they get more officers,” said Grant.

Williams said they responded to the scene as soon as they got the call about the shooting from JSO.

“We're going to continue to push and do exactly what we're hired and that's continue to put officers on the ground,” said Williams.

Grant said she also wants to see JSO step up patrols.

“Our property needs more help at this point because it's too far into the year and too close to school for us to be going through this,” said Grant.

Grant also made a plea to whoever is responsible for the recent shooting to turn themselves in.

Williams said surveillance video has already been handed to JSO.

There’s also a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest.