JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – The new year has begun tragically in Jacksonville, Florida with the shooting deaths of two teenagers in separate incidents. This comes after a violent end to 2023 saw 11 killings in the final two weeks, including the death of a 16-year-old. The first victim of 2024 was a 14-year-old boy, who was struck by gunfire between Soutel Drive and Sibbald Road.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that officers responded to the 9000 block of Castle Boulevard, where they found the 14-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite being taken to the hospital, he did not survive. Additionally, a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot during a fight at the Coopers Hawk apartments. It was indicated that two groups of mostly juveniles had gotten into an altercation at a party, resulting in the fatal shooting.
These tragic events mark the continuation of a concerning trend, with 157 homicides reported in 2023, following 168 the previous year. Nine teenagers aged 15 to 17 were killed by violence in Jacksonville in 2023, one fewer than in 2022. No arrests have been made in either case, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at (904) 630-0500 or individuals can reach out to First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS) or text **8477 to remain anonymous. Alternatively, people can email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or rewards@fccrimestoppers.com.