JACKSONVILLE, Fl -- Yungeen Ace, whose name is Keyontae Bullard, is a rising star in the hip-hop world and a member of Yungeen street Gang.
"I don't think their primary goal is entertainment, no, but they are making real rap music," said JSO T.K.Waters.
Waters, the assistant chief over violence reduction strategy said embedded in Yungeen Ace music videos are hidden messages
"One of those videos is called "Go to War" and in that video, they're talking about to war to whomever they're talking to," said Waters.
Waters' job is to investigate the gang activity. He said there are more than 30 gangs in Jacksonville, but they're not traditional gangs.
"Most of our groups are smaller in size," he said, "As small as four members, not as well organized, but they do exist."
Over the weekend four teenagers were shot, while in their car, at Town Center Parkway. Three of them died. Yungeen Ace was among them and survived.
Hours after he was shot, he posted this about his condition on Instagram.
"Eight shots to my body God still got me here. I wish this wasn't part of his plan"
Waters says he is at a loss for words.
"I don't know how you can live through something like that, lose your brother, two friends and Instagram about eight gunshot wounds," he said.
Police say the shooting is not a random act. There was a dispute, a beefing with another group perhaps, the cause is still under investigation.
"Retaliation is always a concern," said Waters.
Waters says since 2016 their strategy has resulted in a significant crackdown on the gangs.
"There have been 893 arrests since 2016, since we started this, felony arrests, 588 misdemeanor arrests and we've seized 266 firearms," said Waters.
What's behind the gang activity is unclear, Waters speculate they're spawned out of neighborhood groups, but it is clear to police who make up these gangs.
"Let me be frank with you, we have not run across any gangs that are outside of the African American community," said Waters.
And what about getting rid of the gangs? Waters said it requires the community to get involved.
"It is a police and community issue," said Waters, "and the community has to own the issue."
Every Thursday he and his team of social workers visit communities with known gang activity.
He said they talk parents and family members and they lay down the rules
The rules said Waters are:
Don't shoot anyone
Don't kill anyone. We do not want violence in our community.
He said it is a one-way conversation and there is no choice. A violation of those rules will result in the full enforcement of JSO and prosecutors.