JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A boy in his mid-teens was shot in the stomach Wednesday evening in the 300 block of Silver Creek Place on Jacksonville’s Southside.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said paramedics with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department took the victim to a local hospital, where medical staff listed his injuries as non-life-threatening.
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JSO responded to the area around 7:50 p.m. after receiving reports of a person shot. Preliminary investigation revealed that the teenager was walking through the neighborhood alongside friends when two unknown males suddenly began shooting in his direction.
Upon hearing the gunfire, the teenager ran eastbound to escape, while the two suspects ran westbound away from the area. The victim told responding officers that no argument or altercation occurred before the shooting and stated he was unsure why the suspects fired toward him. Police confirmed the victim is cooperating and speaking with detectives.
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Officials stated they believe the shooting was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.
Sgt. Richardson of the JSO Robbery and Violent Crime Unit released physical descriptions of the suspects sought in connection with the shooting, saying one of the suspects was a male wearing all black clothing and the other was a male wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue pants.
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Detectives with the JSO Crime Scene Unit recovered several shell casings while processing the scene for physical evidence. Officers conducted a thorough canvass of the surrounding area to check whether any nearby residences or businesses were hit by gunfire. Authorities noted that it remains unknown whether the victim and suspects knew each other, or if the incident was gang- or domestic-related.
Police said that community assistance is critical and encourage anyone with information to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCRIMETIPS@JAXSHERIFF.ORG. Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
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