JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man died Sunday after what was described as a shootout in the Hillcrest area on the city’s Westside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Sgt. Steve Rudlaff, with the Sheriff’s Office, said multiple gunshots were reported around 5 p.m. on Labelle Street in the area of Valencia Way Apartments, formerly known as Eureka Gardens. When police arrived, witnesses told them that two groups of people were involved in a shootout, according to Rudlaff.
While officers were talking with the witnesses at the scene, Rudlaff said, a man with a gunshot wound arrived at UF Health Jacksonville. The man, who was described as being 20 to 25 years old, died inside the emergency room, Rudlaff said.
Police were canvassing the area of Labelle Street. In addition, they were using metal detectors to look for shell casings, and multiple were found. During the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office also had part of Hollycrest Drive shut down.
At one point, police told a News4JAX crew to take cover because the scene was dangerous, but they couldn’t tell us at the time what happened. Rudlaff later said that was because police did not know whether the shooters were still in the area.
“It was unknown where the shooters went, so at that point, they didn’t realize that the shooters were still on scene or if they had left the area. It was determined after they cleared several buildings that they were unable to find any individuals possibly involved in the shooting inside the apartment complex,” Rudlaff explained.
While witnesses reported there were at least six people outside at the time of the shooting, Rudlaff said, it’s unclear how many people fired shots.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email the Sheriff’s Office at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).