7-year-old Florida boy killed in drive-by shooting allegedly connected to gang violence: deputies
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Deputies said a 7-year-old Florida boy was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting that is possibly connected to gang violence.
Another victim, a 21-year-old man, remains in serious condition, officials said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in identifying and locating the people responsible for the crime.
Details of the crime
What we know:
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the 7-year-old and the 21-year-old were leaving a home on the Westside when multiple people approached them in a car. Investigators believe the car was a dark-colored Kia Soul.
Reports show the people approaching the car then began to shoot, and both the 7-year-old and 21-year-old were hit. Officials stated both were rushed to the hospital.
Authorities said the boy died from his injuries. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old man is in serious condition, deputies said.
What we don't know:
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it believes the shooting was gang-related.
Neither the suspects nor the victims in the incident have yet been identified.
The FOX 35 news team has reached out to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to gather more details on the investigation.
‘Senseless murder’
What they're saying:
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it will "work tirelessly to hunt down everyone responsible for this horrific crime."
"My heart goes out to the family of the victim of this senseless murder," Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said in a prepared statement following the incident. "Anyone that callously opens fire on a 7-year-old cannot be allowed to walk the streets of our city. We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable."
What comes next?
What you can do:
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or First Coast Crimestoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS to report anonymously.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.