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‘I can feel that something is coming’: Year after son’s death, Jacksonville mom hopeful arrest is near

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly a year after their loved one was shot and killed, a Jacksonville family is still waiting for an arrest in the death of a 17-year-old.

Jocori Jones was gunned down near his home on the Eastside on Halloween in 2021. His mother Courtney says she won’t stop her search for answers until someone is behind bars.

“It’s rough,” she said. “I can feel that something is coming and it’s been almost a year since I’ve seen him.”

Police say Jones was walking down the street with friends when a silver car pulled up, firing shots.

His father was in the shower when he heard the gunshots. He ran outside and found his son’s body several doors down from their home.

RELATED: ‘I heard the shots’: Father mourns loss of 17-year-old son killed in Eastside drive-by | Supporters march for 17-year-old killed in Jacksonville drive-by shooting

Jones’ mother said she never imagined she’d have to bury her only child.

“It’s hard to leave your children — it’s very hard to leave your children in a cemetery,” his mother said at the cemetery where her son was laid to rest. “Most of the time I’m OK when I’m here, it’s the leaving part because I just feel like I have to leave him here every time I come.”

She said the shooter took everything away from her. And gun violence, she said, should be taken seriously by everyone.

“I wish they would just see that this is real. This is where you will be,” Jones’ mother said.

To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 for information in the cast that leads to an arrest, contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1.866.845.TIPS (8477), or you can email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org

Photo from march and vigil for Jocori Jones

About the Author
Renee Beninate headshot

Renee Beninate is a Florida native and award-winning reporter who joined the News4Jax team in June 2021.

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