Community members and local leaders are seeking answers after two deadly shootings at Jacksonville gatherings early Sunday morning left two people dead and 11 others injured.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the first shooting happened shortly before 2 a.m. in the 6200 block of Arlington Expressway. Investigators said people were waiting in line for a Halloween gathering when a fight broke out and someone opened fire.
A 17-year-old girl was killed and two other people were injured. Police said the victims were not involved in the dispute that led to the gunfire.
About two hours later, around 3:45 a.m., officers responded to another shooting at a house party on West 5th Street. Investigators said a fight at the gathering escalated into gunfire, leaving a 20-year-old dead and nine others wounded.
District 1 Jacksonville City Council member Ken Amaro, whose district includes part of the area where the Arlington shooting occurred, said the violence highlights a larger community problem.
“This is very unfortunate. Lives are lost, and until we as a community speak up and say we’re not gonna tolerate it, I’m afraid that this is gonna continue to be a problem,” Amaro said.
Amaro said he plans to work with authorities to learn more about the venue where the Arlington shooting occurred and determine whether there are ongoing concerns associated with the property.
“I’m gonna get with law enforcement, code enforcement, and the other authorities to see if this place, this location is a problem, and if it is a problem, how can we address it,” Amaro said.
Neighbors near the West 5th Street shooting said they heard arguments before gunfire erupted.
“I was asleep and I heard the party taking off, I guess about 2:30. Other than that, that’s all I heard. Then I heard people arguing. They walked from there to down here. So then I see them walking back that way and then about an hour later I heard the gunshots,” one witness said.
During a separate press briefing Sunday, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the violence that occurred during Halloween celebrations across the city.
“It’s disappointing. The bad guys need to be held accountable. You should be able to have a party. You should be able to get together without gunshots ringing out and hurting people and murdering people,” Waters said.
No arrests have been announced in either case. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact the JSO non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers. Investigations into both shootings remain active.