JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family members of the teenage boy shot and killed on Jacksonville's Northside Wednesday are asking for help to find his killer.
Family members said Harold Patterson, who went by C.J., turned 16 years old in the spring and was killed near a KFC on Edgewood Avenue West and Avenue B. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the victim was found dead at a vacant house on Edgewood Avenue.
Police are searching for two groups of young men who they said witnesses spotted running away from that area Wednesday evening around 5:30 p.m.
First Coast News spoke with Timothy Walden, who said he raised Patterson since he was two months old. He said Patterson called him "Pops."
“He was a good kid," Walden said. "He was my heart.”
Walden doesn't know how Patterson ended up shot dead in the Royal Terrace area.
“Please, whoever did this, please come to justice, please," Waldon said. "He was a 16-year-old baby.”
JSO said they're investigated what led up to the incident. Police said they do not have suspects in custody and have not determined if the death is gang related.
“These people who witnessed it know about it," said Sgt. Steve Radloff with JSO's homicide unit. "They need to step up and do the right thing.”
On Wednesday night, JSO said they were interviewing several people at the Police Memorial Building downtown. Walden said his family wants answers.
“We’re taking it hard," he said. "We’re just taking it hard and just want to ask anybody why. Why kill a kid?”
He said he wants the violence to stop.
“Put the guns down!" Walden said. "Quit killing these kids!”
Contact JSO with any information at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
