A late-night parking lot argument outside a Baymeadows bar ended in gunfire Friday, leaving a man in his early 30s shot in the face and fighting for his life, according to police. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Officers say the confrontation unfolded outside My Place Bar & Grill and that two suspects took off on foot after the shooting.
According to News4JAX, officers were called to the bar around 11:30 p.m. after reports of a shooting. Investigators say the victim bumped into two men near the entrance, an exchange turned into an argument, and one of the men pulled a gun and fired a single shot that hit the victim in the face. Detectives recovered one shell casing in the parking lot and are now combing through surveillance video and talking with witnesses.
What investigators say
"Detectives believe the shooting was an isolated incident," according to News4JAX. Police described the suspects as two Black men thought to be in their late 30s to early 40s, each about 6 feet tall with medium builds. They were last seen running toward Princeton Square Boulevard. Because of the severity of the victim’s injuries, investigators say they have not yet been able to interview him as they continue processing evidence from the scene.
Where it happened
The shooting unfolded outside My Place Bar & Grill in Baymeadows, a Southside commercial strip known for its cluster of late-night bars and restaurants. The business is listed in local guides and appears in area nightlife listings for Baymeadows, according to Visit Jacksonville. Earlier coverage has flagged ongoing safety concerns around parts of the Baymeadows nightlife corridor after frequent police calls to some establishments, Action News Jax has reported.
A tense holiday stretch
The Baymeadows shooting capped a rough Fourth of July stretch for Jacksonville, with local outlets tracking multiple shootings and at least two deaths over the holiday period. WOKV reported four separate shootings across the city that left two people dead and others hurt, while holiday bloodshed coverage summarized the citywide spike in gunfire. Detectives in the Baymeadows case say they are chasing down tips and poring over video as a jittery community waits to see who, if anyone, will be held responsible.
How to help
Anyone with information about the Baymeadows shooting is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email [email protected], according to the agency. Tipsters who want to stay anonymous and possibly qualify for a reward can reach out to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS or submit a tip online. Police say even small details or security footage from nearby homes and businesses could prove crucial as they work to piece together what happened in that parking lot.
