JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police released a surveillance image Thursday of a car suspected of being involved in a drive-by murder early Saturday morning in Arlington.
The drive-by shooting at the Oakwood Villa apartment complex on Kona Avenue left 30-year-old Juan Morales dead and another person wounded.
According to investigators, a group of people were in the parking lot of the Oakwood Villa apartment complex around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when a car pulled up and someone inside began shooting.
Police said it's unclear how many people were in the car and fired shots, but they've released a surveillance photo and are hoping the public can help identify the car and its occupants.
While police aren't saying anything specific about the car, the surveillance photo shows it has four doors and is light in color. The driver is partially visible.
"I could see the driver was actually kind of heavyset," said Carman Morales, Juan's sister. "The arm was big. I think there's a pretty good chance, hopefully, they'll catch somebody soon."
Morales (pictured right) left behind five children, ranging in ages from 2 to 14 years old. He had three children with his fiancée, who said it has been tough trying to explain to the youngest ones why their father isn't home.
"Even his youngest nephew, my son, doesn't really understand it yet," Carmen Morales said. "He stays up at night, drawing pictures, saying we love you Uncle Chubby."
Debra Gilley, Morales' mother, now wears a T-shirt with her son's face on it. His smile is proudly displayed.
"He had a beautiful smile, very contagious," said Gilley. "Always had it on his face, he hardly ever got angry. That's my baby."
News4Jax Crime and Safety Analyst Gil Smith noted the high crime in the area where Morales was killed.
"This happened at 12:30 a.m., there were also shootings in that same area later on that day, Saturday afternoon and also on Sunday," said Smith. "So there's a lot of violent activity going on in that area recently."
Police are still investigating this case and are asking for help from the public
Anyone with any information about the shooting, the car or the suspects is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 904-630-0500, email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
