JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A teacher is speaking about one of her former students after learning he was shot and killed during a house party Saturday morning in Ortega Farms.
Police have identified the person killed as Jonah Golden, 19. Christina Hovestadt, a teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, taught Golden when he was in the 11th grade.
As a teacher, Hovestadt said she saw a lot of potential in Golden and that he was very intelligent. Beyond that, she said he was a nice person who many are going to miss.
Hovestadt said Golden was in her intensive reading class and he always brought a breath of fresh air into the room.
"He was very hardworking, he was very respectful," Hovestadt said. "He might not have always made the best decisions outside of my classroom, some that I'm aware of and some that I'm not, but at the same time I always saw such a big heart."
Police said the shooting happened at about 2:30 a.m. after an argument began between a few people. Besides killing Golden, the gunfire wounded an 18-year-old.
Investigators said witnesses tell them multiple people were seen firing guns, but right now they don't have any suspects.
"I think as a teacher and just as a human being it's obviously going to be sad anytime you hear of the death of a student or just unnecessary gun violence," Hovestadt said. "Every time it happens in Jacksonville, it hurts for everyone."
Hovestadt said she doesn't know the circumstances surrounding Golden's death, but she hopes that someone will help police find out who took his life.
"We need justice for Jonah and if anyone knows anything about what happened, please don't be scared to speak up," Hovestadt said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.Â