JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local mother is mourning the loss of her 2-year-old son who was shot and killed late Monday night.
It happened in the Panama Park area on East 43rd Street.
On Tuesday morning, neighbors put down stuffed animals in front of the home where the shooting happened.
Action News Jax reporter Alicia Tarancon was there throughout the morning. Family friends told her that the shooting was accidental.
Neighbors woke up Tuesday morning to learn that a child died after being shot.
“I just had a friend call me and say there’s a shooting on your street and it’s like, ‘oh my God’ and then come to find out it’s a small baby so it’s very heart-wrenching,” said a neighbor who didn’t want to give her name.
Tarancon spoke with a friend of the victim’s mother off camera and she told her a gun was left out and the family didn’t know about it. She also said the little boy may have gotten a hold of it thinking the gun was a toy.
When we arrived at 4:30 a.m. there were at least two crime scene unit vans there, and three JSO patrol cars outside the home.
A local child was shot and killed on E. 43rd. Street in what police are saying may have been an accidental shooting. A family friend tells @ActionNewsJax a 2yo boy got ahold of a gun after thinking it was a toy. pic.twitter.com/EF2JRC2uLb
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) June 16, 2020
According to a police report, officers tried to perform CPR on the child outside in the grass until more help arrived. Police told Action News Jax that the child was taken to a hospital where he later died.
JSO confirmed that there was at least one other child present at the time of the shooting.
Action News Jax was told the victim’s mother had just moved to Jacksonville from Daytona Beach to start a new life when all of this happened.
One neighbor didn’t want to give her name, but she told us she feels for the family.
"My heart goes for the family. I just want them to know my prayers are out there for them. Keep your guns safe, keep them away from kids," she said.
JSO said this is an ongoing investigation. Action News Jax has contacted JSO to see whether any charges will be filed and whether there is anymore information about the gun owner.
When we find out any new information we’ll be sure to provide an update both online and on air.
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