JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was shot early Tuesday morning after a fight broke out inside a business, and investigators were focusing much of their attention on a bar known as Neighborhood Tavern, according to what News4JAX observed at the scene. Police have not confirmed the name of the business involved.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said officers responded around 3 a.m. to the area of Century Street and Atlantic Boulevard for a report of a person shot. Officers found a man in his early 40s suffering from two gunshot wounds to the abdomen, JSO said. The victim was taken by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department to a local hospital, where his injuries were listed as stable. Investigators said the victim is cooperating and speaking with detectives.
Police said the victim was inside a business when a fight began among patrons, and the victim was shot during the altercation. Detectives found blood and several spent shell casings inside, JSO said, and crime scene detectives were processing the scene for evidence.
The suspect is described as a female and it is not yet clear whether she left on foot or in a vehicle. Police also said it does not appear that nearby homes or businesses were struck by gunfire.
Nahum Abrew owns a business next door to the Neighborhood Tavern. He said he learned about the incident when he came in for work.
“When I came in this morning there was some police car. Taped off from there. I couldn’t come into the place it was taped all over. I didn’t know exactly what happened I asked they told me an incident happened,” Abrew said.
The victim’s brother said the man who was shot was coming home from the hospital, and he called the shooting an “unfortunate incident of tough guy-ness.
Detectives with JSO’s Robbery and Violent Crime Unit were interviewing witnesses, canvassing for surveillance video and following up on leads. Investigators said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and not a threat to the community, though they encourage anyone who feels they need to contact police to do so. It is also unknown at this time whether the incident is domestic-related.
We asked JSO what it was doing to address the recent incidents in the area. We received the following reply:
“They have stepped up manpower and targeted patrols in the area as a result. And, though we have not seen an increase in crime rates in the district, we understand instances such as this effect (sic) how citizens will view their surrounding community. As such, we will work hard to solve these particular crimes and continue to be visible and further reduce the potential for future incidents.”
Anyone with information is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500, email JSOCRIMETIPS@JAXSHERIFF.ORG, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.