JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville woman spoke out after a terrifying drive-by shooting early Thursday morning left her home riddled with bullets, narrowly missing her family.
More than a dozen shots were fired into the Northside home, with one bullet killing their beloved Great Dane, Naomi.
The victim, who wished to remain anonymous for her safety, recounted the harrowing experience exclusively to the News4JAX I-TEAM. She credited Naomi, their 5-year-old Great Dane, with saving her son’s life.
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Naomi was hit by a bullet that would have struck the bedroom behind her.
“She was definitely saving my son’s life. If she wouldn’t have stood up when she did, my son would not be here today. She honestly took the bullet for my son,” the woman said.
Surveillance footage captured the sound of three different weapons, including a high-powered rifle, being fired at the home. The victim, her husband, and their three children were inches away from the gunfire.
“I heard a bullet fly over me, and it sounded like it went through the house,” she said.
The victim showed News4JAX at least a dozen bullet holes in her home. One bullet passed through the house, exiting the other side. Another bullet struck Naomi, who had been sleeping on the front porch. The victim revealed that Naomi was first shot in the paw but then stood up, shielding her son from further gunfire.
According to the police report, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office police officers found multiple shell casings on the street in front of the home. The shell casings have been collected and are being analyzed as part of the investigation.
The victim is now pleading for justice, urging JSO to find those responsible and prevent such incidents from happening again.
She added that she doesn’t believe her family was the intended target but has decided to move out of the home.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office immediately.