A quiet stretch of Jacksonville’s Southside turned into a crime scene early Thursday when a passerby spotted a man lying near Drew Park and called for help. Officers responding to the 6600 block of Barnes Road found a male in his early 20s with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene. Detectives say they are still working to confirm who he is and when exactly he was killed.
According to Action News Jax, the passerby discovered the body at about 1:30 a.m. and police held a news conference later Thursday morning. Investigators told the station they did not yet know the time of the killing and had no suspect information as the case moves into its early stages.
Found Near Drew Park and a Middle School
The scene sits beside Drew Park and close to Southside Middle School. The City of Jacksonville lists Drew Park at 6621 Barnes Road South, right in the heart of the corridor where officers converged. The district website for Duval County Public Schools confirms the nearby campus, and officials say the district was contacted after the body was found adjacent to school property.
JSO Asks for Tips as Investigation Continues
With no suspect information to share, investigators are leaning hard on the public to help fill in the blanks. As reported by Action News Jax, anyone with information can contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500, email [email protected], or reach CrimeStoppers anonymously at 866-845-TIPS.
Barnes Road Has Seen Recent Shootings
The killing comes as Barnes Road has already been on law enforcement’s radar. The corridor has seen multiple shootings in recent weeks, including a July 4 ambush where police said four masked gunmen opened fire outside a Southside apartment complex. News4Jax reported that earlier episode, and investigators say they are now reviewing whether this latest killing is connected to that violence.
What’s Next
For now, detectives are still processing the scene, collecting evidence and working leads while the homicide unit takes over the case. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office calls-for-service log shows numerous recent runs to Barnes Road and surrounding streets, a reminder of just how busy this slice of the Southside has been for officers. Anyone with information is urged to reach out to the sheriff’s office or CrimeStoppers as investigators work to identify the victim and track down whoever is responsible.
