JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An afternoon shooting on Saturday at a shopping plaza in Lakeshore has left two individuals seriously wounded, unsettling a community that considered the area safe.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that a smoke shop worker, a male in his early 20s, attempted to confront a suspected shoplifter in the parking lot on Shirley Avenue. During the altercation, another individual drew a firearm and began shooting.

The authorities reported a gunfire exchange, during which the smoke shop clerk was hit in the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is battling life-threatening injuries. Another man, also in his early 20s, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and remains in critical condition.

Roni Masabani, a colleague of the injured clerk, expressed his concern, noting their close relationship and the impact of the incident.

“I just hope he pulls through because he’s in a critical condition, my friend Matt,” Masabani shared.

The smoke shop opened just six months ago, and Masabani said the shooting has already made customers hesitant to enter, even though the incident occurred in the parking lot.

“We have nothing to rob in here. We have nothing but vapes. So nothing worth losing your life.”

The plaza is home to family-oriented businesses, including a gymnastics studio, karate school, doggy daycare, and a church. Residents and business owners said they are still shocked.

Ronni Monday, a longtime resident, said he regularly visits the area and was stunned by the violence.

“I was sad about it. You know hope somebody, you know hope they live, and you know hope they’re all right. And it was just a shock to me, because I’ve been on this side of town for that long, and they heard nothing or seen nothing,” he said.

Mark Costley, a karate instructor who moved his business to the plaza last year, echoed the sentiment.

“I’m extremely surprised. Actually, we don’t have anything like that. A lot of businesses have been around here, and they’ve never had any problems,” Costley said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and several people were detained for questioning. No arrests were immediately announced Monday.