JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office identified Cory Hall as a suspect in the deadly shooting at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old is wanted for murder and attempted murder and is considered armed and dangerous.
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Family members told Action News Jax a 19-year-old died in the shooting. JSO said the other victim had non-life-threatening injuries.
To protect the family’s identity, we are not sharing the victim’s name.
“He was loving. He would give the shirt off his back and the shoes off his feet. He always brought joy to the parties,” the teen’s mother said. “He had a good heart. He wasn’t about any trouble.”
The 19-year-old just celebrated his birthday Sept. 2. His mother said he was going to ride the scooters downtown and was using the bathroom inside Morton’s.
Police said a fight happened inside the Hyatt, and shots were fired inside the bathroom. Two victims were taken to the hospital.
“I thought, I got to get to my child. I got to get to my child and let him know momma’s here,” his mother said.
The teen later died in the hospital. The other victim, who’s expected to survive, was his friend.
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The teen just graduated from Ed White High School and was enrolled at FSCJ with hopes of becoming an architect.
“He had such a promising future. Came from a very good family. His mom is military — she’s a veteran. Just got him into school. He was focused,” Mary Dennis, a family friend, said.
The victim’s family has faith that justice will be served.
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“We’re not going to hold our head down. We already know God is in control, so we’re going to leave it like that and continue to pray,” Dennis said.
JSO asked anyone who has any information in regards to the location of the suspect, Cory Hall, to contact police immediately at 904-630-0500 or by email at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
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