JACKSONVILLE, FL – A tragic incident unfolded late Saturday at a Jacksonville apartment complex, where a toddler and two adults lost their lives in a shooting believed to be linked to a private dog sale. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief J.D. Stronko reported that deputies were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire shortly before 10 p.m.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found five victims, four adults and a three-year-old child, who had reportedly come to the complex with the intention of conducting a private dog sale. The specifics of the transaction remain unclear to the authorities. The incident occurred in a breezeway between two apartment buildings within the complex.
According to Stronko, a disagreement broke out during the meeting, leading to four out of the five individuals being shot. The youngest victim, a three-year-old child, was among those shot and has since succumbed to their injuries. The incident also claimed the lives of two adults, while a third adult sustained injuries.
Eyewitnesses informed the police that two unidentified Black men were seen departing the scene in a black sedan. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed by the police, and the condition of the injured adult remains unknown.
The investigation is still underway, with authorities interviewing victims and witnesses to piece together the events of the tragic night. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information to come forward, with the option to remain anonymous through Crime Stoppers.