A teenage girl is in critical condition at a Jacksonville hospital after being shot in the head early Monday in what police say appears to have been an accidental shooting in North Jacksonville.
The incident was reported around 1:10 a.m. in the 14000 block of Golden Eagle Drive. According to police, the victim and the person who fired the shot know each other, and the case is being treated as an apparent accident rather than a targeted attack.
In a news release cited by Action News Jax, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the preliminary investigation found the shooting "appears to be an accident" and that everyone involved is cooperating with detectives. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Local context
The case fits into a troubling pattern of accidental shootings involving young people in Jacksonville. A recent Hoodline report headlined 12-year-old in stable condition described another accidental discharge in the city, underscoring the risks when firearms are unsecured and accessible to youth.
National trends
The issue extends far beyond Jacksonville. Firearm injuries became the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1 to 19 in 2020 and 2021, according to the CDC. Research and reporting cited by the agency have also found increases in emergency-room visits for young people with gun injuries since the pandemic, which has fueled calls for stronger prevention efforts and safe-storage practices.
How to help
Anyone with information about Monday’s shooting is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500 or submit a tip through the sheriff's website, per the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. For emergencies, call 911.
Detectives have not released the victim's name or announced any charges. The investigation remains active, and authorities say they are continuing to gather evidence and interview people connected to the incident.
