1 dead, 2 injured in triple shooting

Friday's triple shooting with one person dead marks the 70th homicide in Jacksonville this year. In 2018 the city didn't reach that number until Aug. 3 in a year that saw 126 people killed, according to Times-Union records.

It's also at least the 13th in the county's routinely deadliest ZIP code, 32209. Last week the city launched its Cure Violence program in troubled areas. The intent is to try to connect people who have known violence or have criminal pasts themselves with those at risk of becoming a casualty or potentially hurting others.

In Friday's shooting, officers responded to ShotSpotter reports of gunfire in the 5600 block of Verbena Road off West 45th Street just after 2 a.m. They encountered and pulled over a car speeding from the area. Inside the car, officers found four people, three of them suffering from gunshot wounds, Sgt. Steve Rudlaff said. The car also had bullet holes.

The three victims, all male, were taken to UF Health Jacksonville, where one was pronounced dead. The conditions of the other two were described as non-life threatening, police said. The victims' identities have not yet been released, but Action News reported that the mother of the victim killed said it was her 17-year-old son. She said her home was shot at two days ago and believes her son was targeted.

Police have not released a possible motive or description of the shooter or shooters or if they were in a vehicle.

Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS) to remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards. Or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or rewards@fccrimestoppers.com.

Scott Butler: (904) 359-4566