Jacksonville Sheriff Confirms Two Deaths in Separate Halloween Night Shootings
A total of 13 people were shot in two distinct incidents at parties in the Regency and West 5th Street areas early Sunday morning.
By Priya Singh ·
Two people died and 11 others were injured in two separate mass shootings that occurred at Halloween parties in Jacksonville, Florida, early Sunday morning. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office confirmed the toll during a press conference held on Sunday, stating that both incidents followed physical altercations at different gatherings.
The first incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. in the 6200 block of Arlington Expressway in the Regency area. Commander Jacob Vorpahl told reporters that officers arrived to find a 17-year-old girl with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were treated in hospitals. Vorpahl said a crowd was waiting to enter a party when a fight broke out, leading to gunfire. He identified all three shot individuals as bystanders not involved in the dispute. Investigators believe two young Black men wearing dark clothing were responsible.
Approximately two hours later, at 3:50 a.m., a second shooting took place at a house on West 5th Street. Officers discovered a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound who later died at a nearby hospital. Authorities learned that nine additional people had sought medical care on their own. The ages of these nine survivors range from 15 to 25. One suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other eight were not in critical condition. Police have not yet released suspect details for the West 5th Street incident.
Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the community in a statement on Sunday. "I am saddened by the heinous 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."
The department is asking the public to call (904) 630-0500 or submit anonymous tips to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1 (866) 845-TIPS. Vorpahl noted that information leading to an arrest could qualify the tipster for a reward of up to $5,000.
Source: Patch Doylestown
