JSO: Victim found in double kidnapping connected to Jacksonville murder

This is a breaking news story

UPDATE 9:49 p.m.

Police have located Chelsea Swafford and she is safe. The kidnapping and murder case are still under investigation and anyone with any information should contact JSO at 904-630-0500.

Police are looking for the suspect and vehicle pictured below.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Around 5:20 a.m. Saturday morning, Jacksonville police responded to a shooting in a Lakeshore neighborhood on the city’s Westside.

Action News Jax told you that officers discovered an adult male shot to death outside. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and some told police they witnessed a man running from the scene on foot.

Now the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) have shared a complicated string of events leading up to the shooting and are asking the public’s help in tracking down a woman believed to be in danger.

Shortly after JSO homicide detectives began their investigation into the mans murder, police said a person called JSO’s Command Center in reference to a possible kidnapping that had happened the night before. The person told police that a white male and black female were kidnapped by two black men in the 5300 block of Palmer Ave. at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday night.

The caller told police the man and woman were kidnapped to get information on the location of the murder victim that was shot on Retaw Street, according to police. The caller said the two kidnapped victims were held for several hours until the murder victim was located and killed by one of the two suspects.

After the shooting, police say the suspects fled the area and dropped the white male victim at an unknown location. However, detectives now believe the suspects refused to let the female victim go free.

JSO is now working to safely locate the kidnapped victim. Anyone having seen her today is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office immediately.

The woman has been identified as

Chelsea Elaine Swafford.

Age: 27

Race: Black

Sex: Female

Height: 5′4

Eyes/Hair: Brn/Blk

Police are asking asking for assistance identifying the black mam pictured who is believed to be the driver of the suspect vehicle, a four-door black Dodge Ram.

Anyone who has any information in regards to this incident is asked to immediately contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email us at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

Cox Media Group