JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One person was found dead early Sunday morning after a shooting near the popular King Street bar and restaurant area in Riverside, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Friends of the victim told News4Jax it was a fight that turned deadly.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, off-duty officers were in the area of King and Forbes streets about 2 a.m. when they heard multiple gunshots. The officers started asking around and people outside directed the officers to an area toward the back of a closed business nearby. That’s where police said they found a person dead in the roadway.
News4Jax spoke with two people sitting on a sidewalk who were visibly upset and emotional. They said their friend was shot and killed after a fight during a night out.
Downing Street was blocked while homicide detectives investigated. Police tape also surrounded a nearby Burger King, and multiple evidence markers could be seen in the back parking lot.
“It is surprising,” said Pope Wilson, who has lived in Riverside for 25 years and knows how packed the King Street area gets on the weekends. “It is really wall-to-wall people. But it doesn’t feel rowdy or anything. It’s a nice crowd out having a good time.”
While some neighbors said they feel safe with the number of patrol officers they’ve seen, Pamela Miller, who lives a few streets over in Riverside, said she would like to see more police in the area at night.
“The nightlife is not very good," Miller said. “(It’s) unsafe. We’ve got enough bars down here. I hear them when they leave at 2 o’clock in the morning. They’re flying down the road."
Homicide detectives are interviewing multiple witnesses. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).