JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News has obtained surveillance video that captures the moment a man shot into a crowd of people and led police on a high speed chase through Jacksonville’s Northside, ending with a crash on I-95.
The incident happened Monday just after noon.
In surveillance video you can see the man police identified as 30-year-old Jerson Edmond in this white truck, pull into the gas station. Edmond reaches out of the driver’s side window, and appears to shoot a gun, as a cloud of smoke is seen coming from the truck and people in the parking lot duck and run into the store.
Edmond then leaves the area, and within seconds a police unit arrives. An officer gets out and appears to talk with people on the corner, before getting back in the car and driving away.
That’s when the chase started. According to the report, Edmond is described as reaching speeds up to 90 mph, running red lights and passing a school that was in session.
Edmond took the Lem Turner ramp onto I-95. It was there that officers used a pit maneuver causing Edmond to crash. He was taken into custody on I-95.
Edmond appeared before a judge in court Tuesday morning. He is charged with discharging a firearm in public within 1000 ft. of any persons, fleeing and eluding officers, and reckless driving.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office had a Mobil station on Hart Road on Jacksonville's Northside blocked off for two hours Monday to investigate the incident. Police also had traffic blocked in both directions Monday afternoon on I-95 at Golfair Blvd., Jacksonville for multiple hours.
We spoke with witnesses Monday who were in the area and say they are concerned about the violence.
"I'm a little shocked and I'm not shocked. I thought, a couple weeks ago when we opened up our new fire station, I thought the fire station would help deter some of the crime," Michael Jackson, a pastor at nearby church said.
In court Edmond says he’s lived in Jacksonville on and off for 16 years and currently works as a nurse. His bond was set at $140k, and he is due back in court on November 29.