JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – A man who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting on the Northside on Friday night has died, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Ahmad Franklin, 53, had been in the hospital since the shooting near the intersection of Linda Drive and Kennard Street, a neighborhood that's known to be relatively quiet with many senior citizens.
Franklin was a father, grandfather and a neighbor to many Linda Drive in North Jacksonville. Monday he became a homicide victim from a shooting that neighbors say was senseless.
Franklin's family says they are devastated, and one of his closest neighbors says she wants want the people responsible to come forward.
"We're all just saddened," said a neighbor by the name of Vonda. "A lot of neighbors were crying. A lot of people are upset about it. A lot of people are mad about it. A lot of people are just hurt."
Vonda lived across the street from Franklin, a man she says was kind, with a gentle "down home" personality, who also regularly looked after children in the neighborhood -- including her own.
"He was so innocent," Vonda said. "He just believed in peace, happiness and love. It was that type of love that you just don't have these days."
Vonda says she was with Franklin just a few hours before the shooting.
"He came over and asked my husband for a cigarette," Vonda said. "And they were just laughing and talking like he normally does."
Police say Franklin was waiting for a family member outside his home Friday night when two men fired about 10 shots at each other.
Franklin was hit by three bullets.
Now, Franklin's family is planning his funeral the same week as Christmas.
The suspects in the shooting have not yet been apprehended.
Anyone with any information on this shooting is asked to contact your local police department.