JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Over the last week, three arguments in Jacksonville escalated into shootings, leaving two men dead and others injured. Local community organizations are concerned about the trend.
The most recent shooting was Tuesday night at MBC Liquor, where the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said a customer got into an argument with the clerk that turned into a physical fight with the clerk and the owner.
The man walked out, but police said he came back with a gun and started shooting. The owner shot back and hit him several times.
The suspect drove himself about a mile to his home, where an off-duty JSO officer tried to help him. Detectives said the customer’s family member walked out and fired a shot in the officer’s direction.
Just hours earlier on Tuesday on Lane Avenue South, two men were arguing inside a home when one of them was shot in the chest. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.
On Sunday, a fight between two men broke out inside a Burger King on the Westside. Matthew Jackson, an employee, tried to break up the fight and was shot. He died at the scene. One of the men involved in the fight was also shot but is expected to recover. Dawud Burritt was arrested in connection with the double shooting.
A.J. with MAD DADS said he is worried about the increased violence in the community.
“It’s been an uptick the last few months, so that’s very concerning for us,” A.J. said. “But with the work the sheriff’s been doing, it’s kind of unusual now because [they’ve] been putting in such good work so you hate to see this kind of stuff happen.”
He also said people should stand clear of confrontations and not intervene.
“You don’t know if these people are carrying guns, knives, all sorts of weapons, so just stand back, be safe and let JSO trained professionals take care of it,” A.J. said.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.