JSO: Teen arrested for deadly shooting at Raines High football game

Robert Howard,16, has been arrested for the death of a 19-year-old at the Aug. 24 Raines High-Lee High football game, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.

The suspect was a Grand Park Alternative School student, Sheriff Mike Williams said.

Howard is accused of targeting his victims with a handgun outside the stadium, JSO said.

Joerod James Adams, 19, was killed at approximately 10 p.m. outside the stadium. Adams was reportedly involved in a fight in the stands and was ejected from the stadium.

JSO says one of the victims was a Ribault High student and remains in the hospital. A female victim was struck by a stray bullet and has been released from the hospital.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole attended a press conference Tuesday on the shooting.

During the discussion, Sheriff Williams said it’s imperative, moving forward, that we all start getting involved in the lives of our young people sooner.

Williams says he believes it could prevent more teens and children from picking up a gun and resorting to violence to solve a problem.

"Where did we get to a point where a 16-year-old thinks it's OK to murder someone at a football game? That's unbelievable!” Sheriff Williams exclaimed.

“This shooting happened without regard to the fact that many people were around and despite the fact of uniformed police presence and many people witnessed this shooting,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

Several fights in the stands were reported during the game.

JSO believes Howard got into an altercation with Adams and the 17-year-old male victim during the second half of the football game.

Duval County School Police told Adams he had to leave the game after he was caught fighting during the second half of the game.

“The motive in this case remains under investigation. But all three males in this incident have association with known criminal street gang members,” Sheriff Williams told Action News Jax.

State Attorney Nelson said Howard was previously arrested for carrying a concealed firearm. Charges were filed, but problems with evidence prevented the State Attorney’s Office from moving forward.

The State Attorney's Office says Howard will be charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder. Many people witnessed the shooting, authorities said, and they need those witnesses to come forward.

The suspect was caught on camera, so there was footage that made him easy to identify, a source told Action News Jax.

STORY: Triple shooting at Raines High football game leaves one dead

JSO said the male victims have ties to known criminal street gang members.

Cox Media Group