Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams released a statement Monday afternoon in the wake of six people being shot near TIAA Bank Field. The stadium will be the site of the annual rivalry game between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.
“More than 600 police will be assigned on game day to secure not only the venue, but the larger footprint of downtown and into the surrounding neighborhoods including those on the other side of the river,” said Williams in an email to WJCT News.
Williams said his department will have “special resources staged and ready for rapid development if needed."
The Sheriff’s Office is also bringing in additional lighting systems to set up along the main thoroughfare and is working closely with state and federal partners.
Six people were shot Sunday about a half-mile from TIAA Bank Field. Our Florida Times-Union news partner reported multiple shots were fired at the victims by at least one person, possibly two people, who arrived inside a gray or silver four-door sedan — possibly a Nissan Altima or Maxima that fled west on Pippin immediately after the shooting.
The shooting happened on A. Philip Randolph Blvd. about 20 minutes before the kickoff of the Jaguars vs. Texans game.
The Sheriff’s Office said early information indicates a possibility that the shooting may have been gang related.
“We are diligently investigating this weekend’s incident in the 900 Block of A Philip Randolph Boulevard. I share the community’s frustration in the violence that is impacting our city. We will turn the tide on the violence, and we will do it sooner with the community’s help," Williams said.
Anyone who has information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
