Investigators say two people were killed and 11 others injured in two unrelated mass shootings at Halloween parties early Sunday morning in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office held a press conference Sunday where authorities said both shootings followed fights that broke out at separate gatherings, with 11 people shot across the two incidents.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Commander Jacob Vorpahl told reporters that the first shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m. Sunday in the 6200 block of Arlington Expressway in the Regency area.
Officers responding to the scene found a 17-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead, while another victim was transported to a hospital by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel.
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Investigators later learned that a third victim had taken themselves to a hospital for treatment. Both surviving victims are expected to recover.
Vorpahl then said a crowd had gathered outside a Halloween party and was waiting to enter when a fight broke out and gunfire erupted.
He went on to say that all three people who were shot were innocent bystanders who had not been involved in the altercation.
Investigators believe at least two young Black men wearing dark clothing were responsible for the shooting.
Approximately two hours later, around 3:50 a.m., Vorpahl said officers responded to a separate shooting at a house on West 5th Street.
Officers found a 20-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died at a nearby hospital.
Authorities subsequently learned that nine additional victims had transported themselves to area hospitals, bringing the total number of people shot in the second incident to 10.
The nine surviving victims range in age from 15 to 25. One suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other eight sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Police have not released suspect information in connection with the West 5th Street shooting.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters condemned the violence in a statement Sunday.
"I am saddened by the heinous acts of violence our community endured this weekend," Waters said. "My heart goes out to the victims of these senseless acts and the many others impacted. We will work tirelessly to bring these criminals to justice and accountability. Violence has no place in Jacksonville."
Those with information about either incident are asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500 or submit an anonymous tip through First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1 (866) 845-TIPS.
Vorpahl said information provided to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest may qualify for a reward of up to $5,000.
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