Two dead and 11 hurt after gunfire erupts at two Jacksonville Halloween parties
Police report two unrelated shootings within hours of each other, leaving a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man dead and nine others with injuries.
By Austin Reed ·
Two people died and 11 others sustained gunshot wounds in separate shootings at Halloween parties in Jacksonville early Sunday morning.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office confirmed the incidents occurred within two hours of each other. The first shooting happened around 1:45 a.m. in the 6200 block of Arlington Expressway. Officers found a 17-year-old girl who died from her injuries. Two other people were shot, one of whom was transported by fire crews and the third of whom drove themselves to a hospital. Detectives said the three victims were waiting in line to enter a party when a fight started. None of the three were part of the fight.
Investigators identified at least two young men in dark clothing as suspects in that first incident. No further details were released about their identities.
A second shooting occurred shortly before 4 a.m. at a home on West Fifth Street. Officers found a 20-year-old man who was taken to a hospital where he later died. Nine other people arrived at hospitals with gunshot wounds, bringing the total victim count for that location to 10. The injured range in age from 15 to 25. One victim has life-threatening injuries, while the other eight have non-life-threatening wounds. Detectives stated that a fight at the house party led to two instances of gunfire.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the deaths in a statement. "I am saddened by the heaven acts of violence our community endured this weekend," Waters said. "My heart goes out to the victims of these senseless acts and the many others impacted. We will work tirelessly to bring these criminals to justice and accountability. Violence has no place in Jacksonville."
Authorities have not released the names of the two deceased individuals or the surviving victims. They have also not provided detailed suspect descriptions for the Westside shooting. The sheriff's office asked the public to call 904-630-0500 with information. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. An information reward of up to $5,000 is available for leads that result in an arrest.
