A late-night gathering at the Paxon Shopping Center parking lot erupted in gunfire early Sunday, a violent turn that Westside neighbors say they have been warning about for months. After another evening of blaring music, street racing and crowds spilling into nearby side streets, four men were shot — and residents say their patience is exhausted.
According to News4JAX, the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the lot off Edgewood Avenue. Four men, ages 44, 49, 54 and 57, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the shooter took off before officers arrived. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the attacker is still on the run and investigators are asking the public for help.
Nearby residents told Spot On Florida they have been complaining for months about the late-night scene in and around the plaza, reporting noise and safety concerns and feeling brushed off by city leaders. One neighbor, frustrated with the lack of response, put it bluntly, saying of their elected representative, "She needs to step up and clean up her area."
Owner, past violence and policing
Property owner Edmund Terry has said in local interviews that he has hired security at the plaza and does not plan to renew the lease for the Paxon Liquor store, according to reporting by Action News Jax. Local records and reporting show police have been called to the shopping center dozens of times this year. In December, a shooting at the same plaza left one man dead.Councilwoman's response
The latest shooting has also reignited tensions between neighbors and their elected officials. In a text message to News4JAX, Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray said she plans to refer the matter to the city’s Public Nuisance and Abatement Board and noted that "property owners have a legal duty to keep their patrons and invitees safe." When told that neighbors felt ignored, she replied, "Thank you for letting me know."
Police ask for tips as tensions rise
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about Sunday’s shooting to call 904-630-0500 or email [email protected], according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Officers have also been dispatched repeatedly to the shopping center this year for other incidents.
Residents say they will be watching closely to see whether the council referral turns into concrete changes or just more paperwork. For now, the Paxon Shopping Center parking lot remains a flashpoint, caught between public safety fears and finger-pointing over who is actually responsible for keeping late-night crowds in check.
