JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 20-year-old man who was standing in line to apply for a job at an Amazon warehouse in Jacksonville was shot and killed Monday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Two other people suffered minor injuries when two suspects opened fire outside the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Jacksonville’s Northside shortly before 2 p.m.
According to JSO, the man who was killed was targeted by the shooters who fled from the scene in a silver car. JSO is now searching for three suspects, including the driver of the getaway car.
JSO said officers were on the scene of the shooting on Pecan Park Road three minutes after the call came in.
The 20-year-old victim was standing in line for job applications with about six others outside of the facility when the suspects began firing, JSO said. JSO believes the suspects knew the victim.
“We’re trying to determine what the motive was why they were after this victim. We have about 10 eyewitnesses that were both inside and outside of the facility,” said JSO Assistant Chief Brian Kee. “This does not appear to be a workplace violent incident that you would normally associate with workplace violence or mass shootings.”
A Facebook Live video captured the moments a woman ran after she said she came to face to face with one of the shooters. In the video, the woman can be heard saying: “He bumped me, told me to get out of the way.”
“As I started to go back inside the Amazon doors, I turned my head slightly to the right, I saw the gunman standing right there with a gun in his hand and next thing you know he just started shooting,” the woman later told News4Jax. “He just let off about five or six rounds. I stood there in complete shock because I couldn’t believe what was actually happening in front of my face.”
A 29-year-old man was grazed in the arm and a 22-year-old man was grazed in the foot during the shooting. Both were treated and did not require hospitalization, JSO said.
A photo that was taken by an Amazon employee and sent to News4Jax appears to show shattered glass in one of the break rooms. The employee said it was caused by a bullet.
About 10 bullet holes could be seen in the windows of the building.
Emergency crews and crime scene tape filled the parking lot of the fulfillment center following the shooting. What appeared to be a JSO helicopter was seen circling above the facility and the wooded area nearby.
People claiming to be family members of Amazon employees at the facility said on social media that employees were placed on lockdown inside. Several employees also confirmed to News4jax who were stuck inside for hours.
“Our managers came around and said that everybody needs to stay in our positions and not move, we’re not allowed to talk to anybody. We had to stay in our stations,” said employee Heather Goodrich.
Goodrich said she is worried about the wellbeing of her coworkers who witnessed the shooting.
“I think it’s horrible,” she said.
News4Jax was sent an audio recording that employees received after the shooting.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to cancel the nightshift tonight,” the message said, in part.
Owen Torres, an Amazon spokesperson, sent News4Jax the following statement:
“This is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and all those who have been impacted by this incident. We are working closely with the Sheriff as they investigate.”
JSO is asking anyone that may have seen the silver vehicle or has information about the shooting to call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.
