A shocking turn of events has heightened safety concerns for business owners in the Sandalwood area, following an alarming hit-and-run incident that escalated into a shooting.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is currently delving into the circumstances surrounding a shooting linked to a hit-and-run that occurred on Tuesday night. This unsettling event unfolded around 9 p.m. on the 1700 block of St. Johns Bluff Road South, drawing law enforcement officers to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man who had been shot in the abdomen. The victim was promptly transported to a hospital, where he is anticipated to make a full recovery.
Investigators have pieced together that the shooting was triggered by a hit-and-run accident. According to police, after being involved in a crash, the victim pursued the suspect. As tensions escalated, the suspect halted, fired shots at the victim’s vehicle, and then made a swift escape from the scene.
This violent episode has reverberated through the local community, leaving business owners on edge about the safety of the area. Anthony Delacruz, who owns Hairz Looking At You Inc., expressed his mixed feelings. “I’m kind of shocked a little bit, but then part of me is not because probably in the last 6 to 8 months I’ve seen and heard about so many incidents in this area,” he remarked, reflecting the growing unease among those who work and live nearby.
“I’m kind of shocked a little bit, but then part of me is not because probably in the last 6 to 8 months I’ve seen and heard about so many incidents in this area,” said Anthony Delacruz, owner of Hairz Looking At You Inc.
Delacruz has owned his salon on St. Johns Bluff Road for 25 years and says incidents like this have become more common. He worries about how ongoing violence could impact his clients.
“I am concerned, but I don’t want my clients to be,” he says. “I want the best for my clients, I don’t want them to be like ‘Oh, I’m not going over there now cause that stuff happens over there’.”
While Delacruz says he understands why someone might want to follow a driver after a hit-and-run, he acknowledges the risks.
“I can actually understand why the guy went after the other guy because he’s thinking that he has to pay for it,” Delacruz says. “If I didn’t have that guy’s information, I would probably go after him too.”
First Coast News crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson says following another driver can quickly turn dangerous.
“It is very dangerous for you to follow a suspect. If you’re gonna follow them, do it at a safe distance — far enough where you can get a tag number or vehicle description and give it all to the police,” Jefferson states. “Don’t try to take matters into your own hands because you are diving into the unknown.”
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.
