JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An SUV sought in connection with a deadly shooting Monday at a gas station on Edgewood Avenue has been found, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.
The SUV was located after police on Tuesday released surveillance photos of the silver Nissan Rogue, as well as the suspected gunman.
The shooting happened around 9 a.m. Monday at the Shell gas station at the corner of Edgewood Avenue West and Avenue B.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the gunman pulled up in the silver Nissan Rogue, got out and fired several shots into a car before driving off. Police said the woman sitting inside the car was struck multiple times and died.
“At this time, it appears that the victim was targeted while sitting in her vehicle,” Sgt. Adam Blinn said at a media briefing Monday morning.
In the images released Tuesday by police, the suspected gunman can be seen wearing a face mask and a hoodie and holding a handgun that appears to have an extended magazine
**UPDATE: This vehicle has been located. We continue to seek information regarding this incident.** pic.twitter.com/FdtO1zRGEL
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 6, 2020
On Thursday morning, the Sheriff’s Office announced it located the SUV but did not disclose where it was found. At that time, the Sheriff’s Office also said it was working to identify a man and a woman pictured in surveillance images that police believe may have information about the killing. News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said police have their sights on these two people for a specific reason.
“A lot of times, the police know more than what they release because they don’t want to compromise the case, so they can’t release every single thing,” Jefferson said. “When they put something out such as the identity of certain individuals, that means something may be linked to them or they may be linked to some information the Sheriff’s Office needs to put the case together.”
Anyone who recognizes the people pictured is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
Victim identified
News4Jax sources identified the woman as 31-year-old Brittany Matthews, a mother of one.
One of the victim’s neighbors, who did not wish to be identified, said the woman was in a rental car at the time of the shooting because her car was broken. The neighbor said he was not aware of her having any enemies.
“It was unbelievable,” the neighbor said of his reaction when he learned of the woman’s death. “We see her every morning with her son. She carried him to the nursery around here. She always come by here and I holler at her. It’s just unbelievable.”
He said the woman was his neighbor for a year.
“She had some friends come down there and visit her sometimes, and sometimes she would borrow my grill and cook with it and everything,” he said. “Other than that, she was quiet.”
Less than a mile from where Matthews was killed, a small memorial remains outside her home. On Thursday, a memorial of balloons and flowers could be seen at the gas station, as well.
“It was devastating because once you see somebody every day and you look forward to seeing them,” the neighbor said. “Then all of a sudden, bam, they’re gone.”