JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five people were shot in a matter of hours in another violent evening in Jacksonville on Thursday.
Among the crime scenes was a home on West 5th Street near Edward Waters College, where police said three women were shot.
Officers said one of the women suffered life-threatening injuries. The other two women had injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. So far, no one’s been arrested.
“I was talking to her yesterday around 7 o’clock, 7:15 and I was video chatting with her,” Carol Mitchell said.
Mitchell told News4Jax her 19-year-old daughter was among the three women shot Thursday night. News4Jax is not revealing the young woman’s name for her safety.
Mitchell said the call dropped out and around the same time, someone started shooting. She and two friends who lived at the home together were hit.
Witnesses said they heard several gunshots and tires squeal, indicating the shooter drove off immediately after.
“I just found out this morning. I’m waiting. She’s in surgery right now. I’m just trying to find out what is what,” Mitchell said.
She said children also live in the home.
“They really need to stop it,” said Catherine Williams, the aunt of one of the women shot. “Stop the violence. It’s senseless.”
The gunfire sparked dangerously close to Edward Water College. About 50 yards away, across the street, are the student dorm rooms.
Police responded almost instantly after getting an alert of shots fired from a nearby ShotSpotter sensor. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue quickly followed.
Most neighbors were too scared Friday to talk about what happened because the culprit hasn’t been caught.
“I just stay home,” Richie Wilson said. “I go to church, and I stay home. I don’t do nothing anymore.”
His son owns a business nearby.
“I told my wife, I said, when the sun goes down, I go down,” Wilson added. “I don’t go out at night because it’s scary out there.”
As detectives continue their investigation, family members hope the three women recover and the person or people responsible get caught.
Detectives were able to interview at least one of the women at the hospital. So far, no suspect information has been released.
2 other shootings overnight
The second shooting scene Thursday night was on Harts Road, just north of Dunn Avenue. The third scene was on Aldersgate Road, which is on the city’s Northside.
Sgt. Blinn, an investigator at the scene on Harts Road, said police received a call from that scene around 8:15 p.m. He said a man was found shot, and it’s believed the man was walking by himself when he was shot in his hip.
The man’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. He was not identified.
Blinn did not have any information about the shooter, and no arrests were announced. He said officers were not sure what led to the gunfire.
The Sheriff’s Office said officers were called to the third scene on Aldersgate Road at about 10:40 p.m. They said investigators found a man who had been shot several times.
Investigators believe the man, who was not identified, was shot by someone who was driving along Alta Drive.
The man’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. There was no description of the shooter, and no arrests were announced.