In the early hours of Saturday, a woman found herself hospitalized following a shooting incident amid a large altercation on Jacksonville’s Northside. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the confrontation, involving between 10 to 20 participants, unfolded around 3:45 a.m. in the 5700 block of Begonia Road.
Sgt. Smith from the JSO explained that officers were dispatched to the scene after a ShotSpotter alert flagged five to seven gunshots in the area. Shortly thereafter, the victim, a woman in her early twenties, was transported to a nearby hospital via a private vehicle. She sustained a gunshot wound to her right hand, but thankfully, her injuries are not considered life-threatening. While others involved in the fracas sustained injuries, none required hospitalization or were shot.
According to the preliminary investigation, the gathering was premeditated, with the individuals intending to settle disputes through a physical confrontation. However, the situation deteriorated when property was damaged, prompting an escalation that led to weapons being brandished.
Sgt. Smith noted that the individuals involved are of similar ages and share some form of acquaintance. It appears the conflict was fueled by a recent falling out among them, highlighting the volatile nature of the situation.
“The preliminary investigation indicated that a group of people met up to engage in a fight,” Smith said. “During that altercation, property was damaged, which escalated the situation. During the escalation, weapons were produced.”
Smith added that those involved are all around same age, “know each other in some capacity,” and recently had a “falling out of some sort.”
Smith said the victim was shot by another woman who was there to fight. The suspect is approximately 5 feet to 5 feet 3 inches tall, in her late teens/early-20s, and was wearing a white T-shirt at the time of the incident, according to Smith.
Although the suspect was not arrested, several people were detained following the incident, Smith said.
“This appears to be an isolated incident with no further threat to the public,” Smith said.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call JSO’s non-emergency number at 904-630-0500. To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
