Gunfire at The Avenues Mall sparks debate: are teen gatherings the problem, or easy access to guns?
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Safety concerns remain days after gunfire sent people running at The Avenues Mall during a large gathering of teenagers.
Jacksonville police said no one was hurt in Saturday’s shooting, but the chaos has left shoppers and parents with lingering questions: Are large teen gatherings the problem, or is access to guns the bigger issue?
First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson says the answer is layered.
Jefferson says when hundreds of teens gather in one place, the environment can quickly shift, especially if someone arrives armed. He said teens often have easy access to guns.
“You can get a gun quicker than you can get a sandwich,” Jefferson said.
He points to what he describes as two major factors in these situations: access to firearms and adolescent maturity levels.
“A lot of times it’s a recipe for disaster when you have that many young people because somebody’s gonna act a fool,” he said.
While some teen shoppers argue the focus shouldn’t be on limiting where teens gather, Jefferson said large crowds can amplify conflict when tempers flare, and decision-making is impulsive.
Jefferson said the so-called “teen takeover” events are not new. Large groups of teens have been gathering at malls and other public spaces for years.
What concerns him is how quickly minor disputes can escalate when a firearm is involved.
Jefferson says malls can take proactive steps to lower the risk. That may include having security identify and disperse large groups that are not actively shopping and clearly enforcing no-loitering policies.
“It’s one thing to post a sign, and it’s another thing to enforce,” Jefferson said.
He adds that visible security presence can help deter trouble before it starts, but enforcement must be consistent.
Ultimately, Jefferson says, prevention does not begin with signage or patrol cars; it begins with parents.
“They just need to start being parents and not being their children’s best friend,” he said. “They need to let them know that there are repercussions for their actions. The best line that a parent can give a child is if you get in jail, don’t call me.”
Some shoppers echoed the sentiment that responsibility starts early.
“I think it’s more so how we raise people,” shopper Jessica Warner said.
Teen shoppers Lorelei Anderson and Lilly Goethe told First Coast News they believe the real issue is the individual who chooses to bring a gun.
First Coast News reached out to the Orange Park Mall to ask about its recently-implemented youth supervision policy — which requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult and wear a verified wristband after 4 p.m. on weekends — to see if it is making a difference. Mall management declined to comment.
We also contacted the JSO for an update on Saturday’s shooting. Officials said there are no new developments at this time.