JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 12-year-old girl is in critical condition after a shooting in the 7100 block of Ken Knight Drive East early Friday morning.
Officers responded to the scene at 2:18 a.m. The girl was found outside in a "cut-through" area people use to travel between adjoining neighborhoods, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
She was taken to the hospital by the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
This is the second Jacksonville shooting involving a child in the last two weeks.
First Coast News learned the victims' name is Rachelle. Those around the neighborhood describe her as being 'full of joy' and someone who 'brightened their day'. Her best friend, Da'viya Seay said they played almost every day together.
"We would just like to be on our phones and play and watch tick tock and stuff," friend Da'viya Seay said. "I've never had a best friend get hurt before in the neighborhood."
She is still undergoing medical treatment, but police believe she suffered at least one gunshot wound to her torso. The investigation is ongoing.
"We're not going to rest until we are able to solve this one. We will do our absolute very best to bring whoever is responsible for this to justice," a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detective said Friday morning.
Neighbors admit their neighborhood had a lot of crime in the past.
"At a certain time, they shouldn't be outside. I think people should put their guns down," neighbor LaMyracle Townsend said.
Seay says she hopes her friend makes a recovery.
"It's a life lesson to make everybody feel safe and comfortable at their own home. And don't go out at the middle of the night," Seay said.
Police believe there were witnesses and are asking anyone who knows what happened, or may have surveillance footage, to come forward.
If you have any information, please call 866-845-TIPS.