JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 23-year-old man was shot and killed in Northwest Jacksonville early Saturday morning, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Officers called to the scene found the man, later identified as Derian McGoogin, dead in the flowerbed in front of his home on Dublin Court. He had been shot several times.
Family said McGoogin went by "Buddy."
"Around 1 this morning, I heard about 20 shots," said resident Ethel Valentine.
She said she dove to the floor in fear when she heard the gunfire because she didn't know where it was coming from.
Valentine has lived on the same street for more than 45 years.
"This used to be a nice neighborhood, but now it is a 'Gunsmoke' town up in here," Valentine said.
Last month, Tavarius Jenkins was shot and killed inside a home on nearby Gullege Drive.
Neighbors said they are devastated by the loss of another life.
"He was a nice boy. He always spoke very respectful. He did what he did, but he was still a nice respectful young boy," said Charlene Jamison who also heard the gunfire.
News4Jax records show the man's death marks Jacksonville's 100th homicide of the year.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson went to the scene of the killing, along with investigators from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
So far, police said they have no suspects in the killing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.