JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Officers say the shooting outside Terry Parker High School could be gang-related.
“It could’ve been an innocent bystander watching the game that got shot,” Paul Whittingham said.
MORE: Raines student shot minutes before Terry Parker, Ribault football game ended, according to JSO | Duval County School Superintendent reacts to shooting outside Terry Parker football game | Terry Parker High School principal reacts to shooting outside school football game
He’s among parents who are shaken after a 16-year-old was shot at the Terry Parker-Ribault High School spring football game.
Action News Jax has confirmed the teen was a Raines High School student.
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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s chief of investigations says the teen was walking through the parking lot minutes before the game ended.
JSO says a group of guys came up to him, then witnesses described hearing one gunshot.
The sound sent football players to the ground as the 16-year-old collapsed near the ticket booth.
“Preliminary investigation indicates the victim was targeted by the suspect. Investigators have strong leads and the possibility of gang involvement does exist,” JSO Chief T.K. Waters said.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue took the teen to the hospital with serious injuries. He was in stable but critical condition as of 2 p.m. Saturday.
The shooting happened nine months after a deadly shooting outside a Raines-Lee High School football game in August.
Duval County Public Schools made changes to lighting at some schools after that shooting.
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At Terry Parker, lights can be seen right behind the bleachers where families were sitting. Near the ticket booth, a light pole with a surveillance camera points right at the parking lot.
JSO says it’s unclear why the victim was in the area Friday night. They have not been able to talk with him yet.
As investigators look for surveillance video, parents are questioning if Friday night football games are safe.
“Nobody should ever have to experience that at all, especially at a high school football game,” Whittingham said. “I would be a proponent of playing earlier games .”
DCPS says they will be reviewing security measures for games this summer.
JSO says its investigators worked through the night trying to piece together what led to the shooting. They’re searching for possible surveillance video and want to talk with witnesses @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews https://t.co/QOxQZ68fHh
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) May 18, 2019
Cox Media Group
