Cellphone video shows large crowds of people on the beach Sunday night near the pier in Jacksonville Beach on March 17, 2024. Two people are seen fighting in the sand. | Jacksonville Beach Police Department
Published on March 19, 2024 at 4:41 pm
The 21-year-old man who was shot and killed late Sunday in one of three separate shootings in Jacksonville Beach has been identified as James Jones III, according to the police department.
Jones was shot just after 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Sneakers Sports Grille on Beach Boulevard, police said. He died after being taken to a hospital, police say.
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Three shootings occurred within 40 minutes after a crowd of partiers converged on the downtown bar district from spring break, the Players Championship and St. Patrick’s Day, police said.
Police had received a tip about a large gathering planned Sunday afternoon at the pier. Videos show large crowds on the beach near the pier and two people fighting in the sand.
Police said officers were assigned to the area, where 250 to 400 young people showed up. The videos show more police coming to the scene as people run away.
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That’s when the first of the three shootings happened at 7:49 p.m. near the Jacksonville Beach boardwalk and Best Western Oceanfront. Three people were wounded. Two were taken to Memorial Hospital, and the third took himself to Mayo Clinic. He was later transferred to UF Health Jacksonville, police said.
Police say the suspects, who fled, were three young men, two with handguns and one with a rifle or AR-type pistol.
The second episode of gunfire occurred just before 8:15 p.m., when a man in a ski mask ran past a beachfront bar with a gun and fired a shot, said Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith. That person got away from officers, but no one was hit. Officers found the gun later, Smith said.
The third and fatal gunfire occurred behind Sneakers. Police initially said three men pulled out guns, but only one fired, killing Jones. Police released no more information about Jones. The unknown suspect was described as a tall thin Black man with a thin beard or facial hair and wearing dark clothing. He fled southwest after shooting Jones, police say.
Investigators ask any witnesses to call them with information at (904) 270-1661. Police are establishing a link where people can upload videos anonymously. Information will be released as soon as possible, police said.
