Juveniles arrested in Jacksonville shooting: Children shooting children

Two juveniles have been arrested for a shooting that injured a 9-year-old girl in Jacksonville, Florida.

Juvenile Arrested in Shooting Incident that Injured 9-Year-Old Girl

In a press conference held on Wednesday, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced that two juveniles have been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in July. The incident resulted in a 9-year-old girl being inadvertently struck in the neck. Due to their ages, the boys, who are 14 and 15 years old, are not being named. However, they are both facing charges of attempted murder and shooting deadly missiles.

The identity of the victim has not been disclosed, but Sheriff Waters stated that the child is expected to recover and is currently in critical but stable condition. The shooting took place in a home on West 19th Street near Myrtle Avenue, where seven people were present at the time. The front door of the residence showed visible bullet holes, but it is unclear whether the shots were fired from a passing vehicle or by someone on foot.

Sheriff Waters provided limited information regarding the investigation, citing its ongoing status. However, he confirmed that the child was not the intended target. While he did not disclose a possible motive, he mentioned that robbery and violent crimes detectives were able to identify the suspects. He expressed gratitude towards the gang and community problem response units, as well as other investigators, for their assistance. It is important to note that there is currently no evidence suggesting gang involvement in the incident.

During the execution of a search warrant at a residence, law enforcement discovered a handgun that forensic analysis matched to the bullet casings found at the scene of the shooting.

Sheriff Waters emphasized the impact of violence on the community, particularly when children are involved. He stated, "Any time a child is hurt by gunfire, violence in this city or any other kind of violence, our community suffers collective injury." He further added, "Our children are our most precious resources, and it's simply unacceptable that they should be the unintended or intended victims of violence. There's no excuse and no justification for this type of indiscriminate violence."

He expressed empathy for the young victim and highlighted the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. Sheriff Waters asserted that gun violence, regardless of the perpetrator's age, will not be tolerated in Jacksonville. He confirmed that the two teenagers will be prosecuted as adults.

The incident serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on innocent lives, particularly children. It is crucial for communities to come together to address this issue and work towards creating a safer environment for all.