JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 2:15 p.m., Jan. 3
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has identified the 14-year-old victim as Micah Thomas.
A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed in Northwest Jacksonville in the evening time on New Year's Day, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
JSO's Lieutenant Adam Blinn says at 6:10 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 9000 block of Castle Boulevard in reference to a shooting. When officers arrived, Blinn says they found the 14-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers performed CPR on the boy until members of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department showed up, Blinn says, as the teenager was then taken to a local hospital. The sheriff's office says the teen later died there.
JSO says, "all we know so far is that witnesses heard gunshots and located the victim."
Detectives were canvassing the area for video surveillance and other evidence after the shooting occurred, according to Blinn. Police say at this time, there is no suspect description.
Half a dozen neighbors in the area described hearing up to six gunshots followed by a woman's "bloodcurdling" scream.
"Just heard this like unearthly scream, obviously coming from the mother of the kid who got shot, and after that, it was just a whirlwind," said neighbor Allyson Rouse.
Other neighbors mistook the gunshots for fireworks, with one adding he couldn't wrap his head around why someone would do something like this.
"I can't imagine. My little brother is almost 14. That's heartbreaking. A mom lost her son last night when she shouldn't have. He should still be here," said a neighbor who spoke anonymously.
People in the area said there are often children playing outside with many playing along the street where the shooting occurred.
One woman said it'll be heartbreaking to see one less child playing outside.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call JSO's non-emergency number at 904-630-0500 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.