Parent praises Terry Parker High School faculty for quick action during shooting on campus

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Terry Parker High School students walked into class for time after police said a teenage was shot on campus Friday night.

The family of 16-year-old Shammon Mickens told Action News Jax he was shot once in the parking lot during the spring football game, and in critical condition at the hospital. JSO said they believe Mickens was targeted by possible gang members.

The Duval County School District provided crisis counselors to students Monday. However, some parents have asked if they will increase safety protocol after the shooting.

“We just need more protection and more security in schools,” Parent Andrew Diaz said. “But when it comes to Terry Parker’s faculty, the principal and assistant principal, they did a wonderful job.”

Diaz said he was nervous dropping off his son at school Monday morning. He told Action News Jax he was at the game Friday evening, sitting in the bleachers near the street. He also said he is a former law enforcement officer with the U.S. Department of Defense and immediately knew it was gunshots when he heard pops come from the parking lot.

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“We heard two (gunshots),” Diaz said. “Then we heard a big puff of smoke. Parents tossing their kids over, people jumping the fence. No one was taking control of the back area.”

Diaz said he then watched the school’s faculty take control of the crowd and get everyone to safety. He also said the school’s principal and assistant principal ran over to Mickens to help.

“You get scared, you don’t know what to do because you really don’t know if they school is properly trained on evacuations,” Diaz said. “When it came to the faculty, they did a wonderful job.”

Action News Jax has reached out to DCPS to request to speak with Terry Parker High School’s faculty. A spokesperson said they were not available to speak Monday and working to coordinate another time.

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