Jacksonville, Florida — A tragic shooting during what authorities believe was a drug deal recently claimed the life of a young boy and left two others injured in the Sandalwood neighborhood. The incident unfolded on Friday night, prompting an immediate response from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office around 9:10 p.m. in the 2200 block of Mareeba Road East, close to Wahine Drive North.
At the scene, police discovered three victims suffering from gunshot wounds: two boys and a young man in his twenties. Details about the victims’ ages have not been disclosed. Authorities reported finding one boy in the intersection with multiple gunshot wounds, while the man was found in a vehicle at the intersection, also with severe injuries. A second boy was discovered with a single gunshot wound, but investigators are still working to clarify whether he was inside the car.
All three victims were rushed to a local hospital, where the boy with multiple wounds was later pronounced dead. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the shooting is thought to have been linked to a drug transaction that escalated dangerously.
Investigators scoured the area for evidence and reportedly collected between 40 to 50 shell casings. They also recovered a significant quantity of drugs, including marijuana and synthetic variants, which were found scattered on the road.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene filled with the sounds of gunfire. Joe Deluca, who lives nearby, recalled hearing rapid shots and then silence, followed by more rounds being fired. When he went outside, he saw a car that had crashed into a stop sign, and he described finding a man inside the vehicle unable to escape.
“I saw the windshield shattered with bullets,” Deluca said. He emphasized the urgent need for the violence to stop, expressing concern over the reckless actions of people today.
The investigation is ongoing, with detectives from the sheriff’s office collaborating with the State Attorney’s Office and Medical Examiner’s Office to gather more information. While the nature of the relationships between the victims and any possible suspects remains unclear, multiple witnesses are cooperating with law enforcement.
Officials have reassured the community that this appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who may have information about the shooting to come forward and contact them or reach out through Crime Stoppers.