JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Neighbors on the Southside told Action News Jax that they heard officers shouting commands with guns drawn on Tuesday morning.
We learned just before noon that it was due to a SWAT standoff. Negotiators and several armored vehicles were present at the Woodhollow apartments near Hodges and Atlantic boulevards.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
People who live nearby said they have a lot of questions about what happened.
They said they did not hear from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or management at the apartments the reason behind the show of force, which included the JSO SWAT Team and dozens of officers in tactical gear.
“Really just curious, like what is going on?” said Kiersten Mulcahey.
READ: VIP tickets available for the Sea and Sky Spectacular at Jacksonville Beach with the Blue Angels
Robert and Kiersten Mulcahey have lived at Woodhollow for more than three years and they say it’s normally quiet.
But Tuesday, neighbors say they heard officers shouting commands over a bullhorn.
Officers closed off parts of the complex and an area at a shopping plaza across the street for a command center.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
“I initially just saw like two cars and I thought police — probably found somebody. Then I see all these trucks,” Kiersten Mulcahey said. “I’m like ‘oh! Okay, something big is actually going on.’”
JSO said the incident started as a reported armed assault.
One neighbor sent Action News Jax a photo showing officers with guns drawn. Another neighbor told us police have been called to the unit several times in the past.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
But the Mulcaheys said they’ve never had a problem before.
“Normally it’s really quiet over here. Not much really happens,” Robert Mulcahey said.
Neighbors first told us about the police activity around 6 a.m. and police didn’t wrap up their investigation until about five hours later.
On scene of what appears to be a SWAT situation after @JSOPIO confirms an armed assault in the area.
— Robert Grant (@RobertANJax) August 1, 2023
Negotiators and several armored vehicles are at Woodhollow apartments at Hodges/Atlantic.
This is the command center across the street ⬇️@ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/JCI69Deue0
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.