JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An effort called No Murders in May, which aimed to reduce the number of homicide cases to zero for the month, was disrupted when two people were shot to death this week in Jacksonville.
No Murders in May will also be the theme for a parade Saturday, put on by the Men Against Destruction -- Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder, also known as MAD DADS.
The group hoped the city could be free of any unnecessary deaths leading up to Mother’s Day.
But a shooting Thursday morning became the second homicide of the month when Brian Mason, 33, was killed near the intersection of 9th and Market streets.
On Tuesday night, 35-year-old Gary Johnson was one of four people shot at a home on West 24th Street. He died from his wounds.
And still, 3 ½ more weeks remain until June.
JACKSONVILLE HOMICIDES: January | February | March, April
MAD DADS President Donald Foy said it’s time for the community to act.
“It’s hurting (us) because it’s going on all over Jacksonville and the nation,” Foy said. “Our hearts go out. MAD DADS is here to rejuvenate the community and tell them to take a stand -- that they break the code of silence and tell what they know.”
It’s also time for violent criminals to be removed from the community, Foy added.
“Some we’ll be able to help,” he said. “Some we won’t. Those that we won’t, we’ll just have to lock them up.”
That MAD DADS peace parade starts at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Myrtle and 19th streets. The route will continue down Myrtle and end at Edward Waters College.