JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Police say a 17-year-old remains in serious, but stable, condition after being shot outside of Andrew Jackson High School on the city’s Northside Wednesday.
“I was just praying for the mom, praying for the young man that was shot, I’ve been thinking about him since yesterday hoping that he’s well, and definitely praying for his family,” Paige Hall said.
The news brings back painful memories to Paige Hall, whose 16-year-old son, Trent Fort, was shot and killed in 2020.
“It brought back so many emotions for me because I was that parent who was on the other end who got the call that my child was shot,” she said.
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Police say Wednesday’s shooting may have been targeted -- similar to what happened to Fort, who was shot and killed in Callahan. Action News Jax told you last year when Gaven Smith pleaded guilty to killing the teen and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
“I think we just need to be more active in the community, more aware of what these kids are doing. We need to be protecting our children better,” Hall added.
Neighbors near the high school didn’t feel comfortable going on camera, but they did tell Action News Jax that gun violence isn’t uncommon there.
JSO’s crime map shows there have been 19 assaults within a one-mile radius of Andrew Jackson High School in the past month. According to the school’s principal, bag checks and screenings are now being done as students enter the school.
Jacksonville city council member Reggie Gaffney helped secure $336,000 dollars to fund non-profits and help curb youth violence. Action News Jax will be checking to see if that spending has an impact.