What started as a routine Instagram sale in Pine Hills ended with gunfire and a trip to the hospital Tuesday evening, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Officers say a man was shot during a meet-up at a Pine Hills apartment complex after arranging to buy an item through Instagram. The victim was hit in the lower back and right forearm and taken to a hospital, where his injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Investigators say the seller pulled out a gun, fired multiple times and then drove away from the scene.
News4JAX reports that Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers were called around 7:37 p.m. to the Pine Hills apartment complex on Oriole Street. According to investigators, the buyer had met an unknown individual through Instagram to purchase an item when the suspect suddenly pulled a gun, fired several rounds and took off in a vehicle.
JSO Asks For Tips
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call its non-emergency line at 904-630-0500 or email [email protected] through the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office website. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477), the groups assisting investigators said.
Online Deals Have Gone Wrong Before
Violence tied to online transactions is not exactly a new problem in Florida. Police in Port St. Lucie said a phone sale that started at a Walmart ended in a shooting that left two teenagers injured, as reported by WPTV.
Closer to home, JSO has previously warned residents about Marketplace meet-ups after a dirt-bike meet-up ended with a stolen vehicle, underscoring the same risks officers point to when they roll out safety reminders.
How To Stay Safer
Police and consumer advocates continue to push a familiar checklist: meet in a public place, go during daylight hours, bring another person and, when possible, use police-designated exchange spots such as substations or the Police Memorial Building. News4JAX has reported that JSO recommends those steps and warns against sharing home addresses or sending money in advance.
JSO says the investigation into the Pine Hills shooting remains active, and detectives are asking anyone with video or additional details to come forward. Updates will be provided as new information is released.
