JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are working to make an arrest after a man was injured Wednesday evening in a shooting on Merrill Road that’s believed to have stemmed from road rage, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. McCormick, with the Sheriff’s Office, said police were called to the scene just after 5 p.m.
“It appears that this was part of a road rage incident that had led up to a shooting, and that shooting was then followed by a vehicle crash where both vehicles were disabled,” McCormick said.
He said the shooter fled the scene. There was no description of a suspect, other than someone who was said to be in their late 20s to early 30s. At least two shots were fired.
McCormick said people living nearby were urged to stay indoors as police searched the area.
Bullet holes appeared to be in the driver’s side door of a blue Ford Focus.
From our vantage point, we can see what appear to be bullet holes in the driver's side door of this blue Ford Focus. Another mark on the passenger side. #News4Jax @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/NIa7bNfytD
— Joe McLean (@JoeMcLeanNews) November 3, 2021
News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said incidents like these are easily preventable.
“You have to drive defensively drive for the other guy. You have to assume that they’re not paying attention, that they’re distracted, that any moment they could cut you off, or abruptly stop in front of you,” Jefferson said. “You have to expect the unexpected at all times.”
“It makes you mad, it irritates you, but you can’t do anything about it,” he continued. “The best thing to do is look straight ahead and keep moving, keep it moving and get to your destination safely and alive.”
The man who was shot was said to be in his mid-30s. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
Anyone with information that can help police is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.