Nearly all of Jacksonville’s murders last year involved gun violence. Local group wants community to find solutions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Jacksonville police investigate four weekend shootings, including one that was deadly, a local group is making a new push to address gun violence in Jacksonville.

ICARE, the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, is hosting a community discussion Monday, hoping to find solutions.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church’s Shirley David Hall on Arlington Road — less than a mile from the scene of a deadly shooting on Sunday.

ICARE says Jacksonville has the 23rd highest murder rate out of the 75 largest cities in the U.S.

According to News4JAX records, 127 people were murdered in Jacksonville in 2023.

Nearly 94% of those killed were Black men and boys, and more than half of the victims were under the age of 30. Almost all of the murders involved shootings.

ICARE said it especially wants to hear from families, schools, hospitals, businesses and congregations about the issue of gun violence in Jacksonville.

It has also invited the mayor, state attorney, sheriff and City Council members to attend.

Here is the list of speakers:

• Monsignor James Boddie, Christ the King Catholic Church

• Rev. Victor Cole, Historic Mt. Zion AME

• Rev. Willie Barnes, St. Paul AME

• Deacon Charles Warren, Second Missionary Baptist

• Harold Craw, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

• Lloydette Noisette, Abyssinia Missionary Baptist

• Robin Clemons, Families of Slain Children (FOSCI)

• Jean Francis, Moms Demand Action

• Rebecca Melvin, Paramedic

• Stephanie Skinner, Child Guidance Center

• Jamie Shelton, bestbet

• Principal Kimberly Brown, Northwest Legends Elementary

• Warren Jones, Duval County School Board

• Charles Griggs, Jacksonville Mayor’s Office

• State Attorney Melissa Nelson, Fourth Judicial Circuit

• Rev. Adam Gray, Riverside Church at Park and King