The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the toddler was inside his Durkeeville home when he was hit by a bullet from outside.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 2-year-old is recovering, and in critical condition, after getting shot late Sunday night in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the boy was inside his Durkeeville home when he was hit by a bullet from outside.
The toddler’s aunt said they recently moved to the city and have no idea who would want to shoot at their home or why. She said he’s doing okay in the hospital.
Police are still investigating the shooting and have not identified any suspects.
JSO responded to ShotSpotter alerts about gunfire after 9 p.m. Sunday.
Tony, who lives in an apartment nearby, said it sounded like a warzone.
“I kept hearing a whole lot of shooting, like pow pow pow,” he said. “I wanted to check, but I was afraid to come outside.”
The child’s aunt said he was watching cartoons when he got shot in the leg.
Next to the home, there’s a trail with easy access for biking and walking. It’s on the same side of the home where a window was broken by the gunfire.
Neighbors believe the shooter may have been walking through that area.
“It seemed like it was right in my house as loud as it was, so I knew it had to be close, but I didn’t know nobody had got shot,” Tony said. “And it was a child? Oh, man. That’s real bad.”
“It concerns me,” Tony said. “The future for this whole place around here. People can’t sit in their homes and watch TV without getting shot.”
Tony said the community can help by coming forward with information when crimes like this happen, especially when they involve children.
“We just need people to come together in these neighborhoods and let these police know what’s going on,” Tony said. “That’s what we need.”
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call police at 904-630-0500 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
