A verbal argument inside a Jacksonville Westside home escalated into gunfire Sunday night, leaving a man in his mid-40s with multiple gunshot wounds and police searching for whoever pulled the trigger. The shooting happened around 7:45 p.m. in the 5600 block of California Avenue, and the victim, a Black man, was rushed to the hospital in critical but stable condition.
According to Action News Jax, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officers responded to reports of a man being shot at that address and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police said the confrontation began as a verbal altercation between the victim and an unknown individual inside the residence before shots were fired.
Investigators said the suspect displayed a firearm during the dispute and fired multiple shots in the direction of the victim, striking him multiple times, per police. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition, according to the same report. The person believed responsible for the shooting had not been located as of the report, and police continue to search for that individual.
Detectives Working the Scene for Clues
Crime scene detectives processed the scene for evidence, the outlet reported. Investigators also interviewed witnesses, canvassed the area for video footage, and followed up on investigative leads as they work to identify and locate the suspect.
Despite the violence, police characterized the shooting as an isolated incident that poses no ongoing threat to the broader community. No further details about the relationship between the victim and the suspect, or what sparked the initial argument, have been released.
Jacksonville’s violence-prevention work also includes efforts outside active police investigations. The city’s Journey Forward initiative brings together government, nonprofits, businesses and residents. It builds on the Jacksonville Journey, launched in 2008 to address violent crime, support at-risk youth and stabilize neighborhoods, as outlined on the city’s Journey Forward page.
How to Help the Investigation
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling 904-630-0500 or emailing [email protected], or by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
No arrests had been announced as investigators continued piecing together what led to the shooting on California Avenue. Hoodline will provide updates as more information becomes available.
