Victim of mass shooting near TIAA Bank Field speaks exclusively to Action News Jax

A Jacksonville man lost his leg after being shot multiple times near TIAA Bank Field on a Jaguars game day in late October, and he spoke only to Action News Jax about the moments that changed his life forever.

Jalen Bryant is one of six people who were shot near the stadium and moments before Bryant hit the ground.

One of the victims later died at the hospital.

He said he heard loud noises coming from behind him.

“It sounded like we heard fireworks behind us, but then it sounded like a cannon,” Bryant said.

He said his body hit the concrete and he heard screams around him.

“I started screaming, "Why would somebody shoot me,” Bryant said.

He and his girlfriend were headed to the Jaguars game and were walking back to the car when he was shot multiple times.

“Three in the chest, one in the leg and one in the arm,” Bryant said.

Police said shots were fired from a car and they released a picture of the suspect’s vehicle.

“I know they were behind me,” Bryant said.

Bryant spent about a month in the hospital.

He was placed into a medically induced coma and coded three times.

“I don’t know if you believe in God, but I do, and he was there,” Bryant said.

Doctors had to amputate his leg and he said he is confined to a wheelchair for at least four months.

“At least I’m alive; it was a tough one to swallow, but you know I’m here,” Bryant said.

Now he said the scars on his body remind him to not take life for granted and to always watch your surroundings.

“I was like, 'It’s 12 o’clock football, Sunday, people are out everyone have their jerseys on - you wouldn’t expect to get shot',” Bryant said.

Bryant said his girlfriend was also shot in the hip.

If you would like to help out Bryant click HERE for the GoFundMe account his mom created.

Cox Media Group