JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man in his 20s suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot in the face Tuesday night during what police said appeared to be a drug deal.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit responded to a reoport of a person shot in the parking lot of the Walmart in the 9800 block of Hutchinson Park Drive, near Interstate 295 and Monument Road.
"We heard a pop, pop. And then we looked up and two people ... were running around cars and two cars sped out the parking lot," said witness Rocky Osteen.
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Witness Stormie Shiflett tried to keep the victim calm as he was going into shock.
"He was shot right here. Right here, upper bone of the cheek, and it was bleeding real bad. I couldn't see anywhere else," Shiflett said. "He was actually sliced, it looked like, with a nick on his shirt, and I opened his shirt to see if there were any cuts there. Thank God there wasn't."
The victim remains in critical condition in a hospital.
Osteen told Action News Jax that he tried to chase the suspects.
"We tried to follow them, but they got too far ahead of us," Osteen said.
JSO said there is no suspect information available.
Police are reviewing surveillance video, which possibly shows the suspect’s vehicle, though police haven’t released a description of it.
An article of clothing believed to be from the victim was left at the scene and is also being looked at by police.
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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000.
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