INVESTIGATES: JSO calls Jacksonville hotel a ‘hot spot’ after recent shooting

ARGYLE FOREST, Fla. — A Jacksonville hotel is not only attracting heavy police presence, but those who stay there say it’s a breeding ground for drugs and crime.

Several people who stay at the motel told Action News Jax they were scared to go on camera after the manager reportedly told tenants to not talk to the news. We spoke with one woman about her experience living there, but did not show her face for her safety. She said there is a lot of drug activity.

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“This is what these people do. They live every day to survive,” she said. “Every once in a while families do come here and I still find it a little surprising.”

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) is now increasing their patrols near Youngerman Circle, off Blanding Boulevard where the Red Roof Inn sits. The JSO crime map (https://www.jaxsheriff.org/Resources/crime-mapping.aspx) shows there have been 29 crimes within a half-mile radius of the Red Roof Inn.

“I can say we respond to the area too frequently,” Lt. Senterfitt, with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, said.

The most recent incident was Wednesday, when an adult male was shot in the parking lot. JSO said he had serious injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Back in September, Action News Jax reported a man was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds inside a Red Roof Inn room. To this day, police have not announced an arrest or update in the case.

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Action News Jax reporter Meghan Moriarty requested calls for service from JSO and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) for the Red Roof Inn.

Rescue crews have been called out to the inn 123 times between Nov. 4, 2020 and Nov. 4, 2021.

A majority of the calls were for medical issues, according to a JFRD spokesman. He said 25 were classified as “overdoses,” and 15 were listed as “assault” calls, which can include shootings and stabbings.

In addition, some of the overdose calls were coming in as other medical issues, such as “difficulty breathing,” “unconscious“ or even “unknown problem.” “Overdose” could also be someone mistakenly taking too much medicine.

Moriarty went to speak to the manager to see what is being done to combat the issues.

“We sometimes have issues, but we do our best,” he said. “We have permanent security right now.”

He then referred Moriarty to the corporate team.

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Red Roof Inn corporate headquarters sent us this statement:

“We are grateful for the support of the law enforcement and emergency medical responders that are investigating the shooting at the Youngerman Circle property. This is an active investigation and we will make certain that the franchise location continues to support and cooperate with the Sheriff’s department as they proceed with their investigation.  We are aware that the area has been a site for criminal activities and we have, and will continue to work with the franchise owner to ensure the safety of our guests and employees as well as ensuring local law enforcement continues to have our full support.”

Moriarty asked Lt. Senterfitt, who was on scene at the most recent shooting, about what the agency is doing to combat crime.

“We’ve been working actively to try to address that [crime],” Lt. Senterfitt said. “People can go on our crime page and see the stats. We’ve had a lot of officers out here.”

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