An early Monday morning attack inside a Westside garage left a Jacksonville man shot and stabbed, but he was rushed to a hospital with injuries police say are not life-threatening. Officers were called just after 5:30 a.m. to a home near Hazel Lake Drive off Old Middleburg Road South, where neighbors watched a heavy police presence move in as detectives processed the scene.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, two men described as one heavyset and one skinny walked up to the victim while he sat inside his garage, spoke with him briefly, then opened fire and stabbed him before taking off in a black or dark-gray SUV, as reported by News4JAX. Detectives are calling the attack an isolated incident, but the suspects remained on the run. Officers with JSO’s Robbery and Violent Crime Unit have been canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.
JSO asks for tips
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, anyone with information about the attack is urged to call 904-630-0500, email [email protected] or contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. The agency’s Crime Tips page explains how to submit information anonymously and how residents can register their surveillance cameras to assist investigators.
Recent violence on the Westside
The early morning garage ambush follows a string of violence on Jacksonville’s Westside earlier this month, including a deadly shooting near Normandy Boulevard, as reported by News4JAX. Law enforcement has said specialized units have been working across the area in recent weeks as they follow leads and process multiple crime scenes.
Detectives are asking neighbors to review doorbell and dash-cam footage from early Monday and to contact investigators if they recognize the SUV or the two men described. The Robbery and Violent Crime Unit said it will keep working incoming tips until the suspects are tracked down.
