JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A quadruple shooting Thursday evening at a park in the Lincoln Villas area of Northwest Jacksonville left a young father and a teenager dead, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Lt. Ellis Burns said people were out near the basketball court at Elizabeth R. Powell Park on Redpoll Avenue, just west of New Kings Road, just before 7 p.m. when a large fight broke out and several people started shooting at each other.
Burns said that police know of four people between the ages of 14 and 24, who were shot, two fatally. A 24-year-old man, whose name was not immediately released, died at the scene. A 14-year-old boy who was shot in the chest died later, police said Friday morning.
Two men, whose ages were not released, were shot in the legs and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Burns said. Those two were self-transported, meaning they were taken to a hospital by someone else or they took themselves.
Although JSO has not released the names of those involved, Felicia Mayo said her cousin, Titus Mobley, 24, was the man killed and said he leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter.
"His life was taken way too short," she told News4Jax. “He was robbed of his life by another person.”
Burns said at least a dozen shell casings were found at the scene. Numerous evidence markers could be seen where officers found different calibers of shell casings. Detectives were working to process evidence and locate any surveillance footage or witnesses.
When asked by a reporter at the scene whether there were any suspects at large, Burns said: "There's no reason to believe the community should feel threatened at this point. There's nobody who's armed and dangerous who we are aware of at this time. We've taken some people into questioning at this point, but there's no reason to believe anyone is armed and dangerous in the community."
A neighbor told News4Jax he heard about four to five gunshots. He said it’s upsetting knowing an act of violence happened on a day that is meant for love.
“We should have more to do. A life is precious. Really, that’s the way I look at it," said the neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous.
Mobley's family said he worked hard to provide for his daughter. They called the shooting a "senseless" act.
“I just feel it could have been a better way handled. It could have been handled differently. Why do guns have to be the ultimate alternative?” Mayo asked.
The Northside Coalition of Jacksonville said they're reaching out to Mobley’s family. They released the following statement:
Our entire community is in shock and mourning, because of yet another tragic incidence of gun violence. Families of the injured and slain need our encouragement and our support. It’s time for the city to step up its plans to stop the violence and increase the peace. City officials should take definitive short-term action to stop this madness. We don’t need any more studies or surveys; we need city officials who are ready to stop talking and start taking action, to make positive changes.
- Ben Frazier, Spokesman for the Northside Coalition
Homicide detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).