The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting in the Moncrief neighborhood near 2100 Brooklyn Road.
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole is at the scene.
Neighbors tell her a teen was shot in the stomach and is now in a hospital.
The Sheriff's Office said a juvenile was walking eastbound on Brooklyn Road when someone called over to him and then began shooting at him.
The victim was shot multiple times in the upper torso and is at UF Health in surgery with life-threatening injuries, according to the Sheriff's Office.
STORY: Nearly 70 percent of murders in Jacksonville, during 2018, remain unsolved
The Sheriff's Office said that after the victim was shot he went to a neighbors house and that neighbor called police.
The Sheriff's Office quoted witnesses saying the suspect ran west on Brooklyn and was wearing blue jean shorts and black T-shirt. The Sheriff's Office the suspect then got into what appeared to be a silver, older model Lincoln. Witness told police the car went northbound on Paris Avenue.
One neighbor, who didn't want to be identified for safety reasons, told Cole, "I was in there washing dishes. I started washing dishes around 7:15 p.m., 7:20 p.m. I heard five gunshots. I threw the pots down and ran in the back of the house.”
The neighbor told Cole that gunshots can be heard two to three times a week.
STORY: Warrant released for suspect arrested in slain Naval Chief Petty Officer slaying
"Its scary. It’s very scary, very scary. I’m scared to walk to the corner store. I’ve been around here for 51 years and I’ve never seen nothing like this before. It’s getting crazier and crazier. I’m scared to go anywhere now," the neighbor said.
Another neighbor, Sharon Evans said, "He got shot in the stomach, ran into my grandson and told him call rescue. He got shot in the stomach."
"It’s just hurtful, I’m so hurt. It’s just so painful and hurtful to me to keep seeing this kids get hurt like this. I wish I knew what was causing this," Evans said.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry sent out this statement in response to recent violence in Jacksonville:
“I have consistently said that one violent crime in our city is one too many. That applies whether it’s the holidays or any other time of year. The four years before I was mayor saw an increase in murder of more than 30 percent. But in the time I’ve been mayor, it is statistically flat but I will not stop until we see these numbers decrease.
That is why I restored the cuts previously made to police and fire. My budgets increased the number of police positions adding 180 new cops, and I’ve given the Sheriff and State Attorney the money and technology they requested to go after criminals and gangs. In those same four budgets, I have ensured more than $120 million toward programs that work with young people in our most challenged neighborhoods. Those dollars are managed primarily in the Kids Hope Alliance, which has reformed and bolstered the work previously done in the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and the Jacksonville Journey.
Although much of Jacksonville remains safe, I work every day to see every person in every neighborhood has the safety and security for the opportunity to pursue their dreams. My administration will not rest until we achieve this goal. My first priority is and will always remain public safety.”
TRENDING: