JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach police said at least one of the shootings Sunday involved a rifle or AR-style pistol.
First Coast News crime and safety expert, Ken Jefferson said rifles are being used in shootings in public areas more.
“We're seeing it more recently, now that we have in the past. But it's not uncommon for these types of criminals to use AR-15, or AR-15 type weapons.
Since November, First Coast News reporter, Andrew Badillo, counted five shootings in public areas in Jacksonville where rifles were used.
November 8, 2023 - In the Highlands area of Jacksonville a man was shot while sitting inside his vehicle. Investigators found 50-60 shell casings.
November 27, 2023 - Off Collins Road in the parking lot of an apartment complex a man was shot to death. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a rifle was used.
December 4, 2023 - At a gas station on Jacksonville's northside police say multiple shooters using rifles shot three people. Bruce Wilson was killed, his family said he was on his way to the Jaguars game.
January 18, 2024 - In a shopping plaza on Moncrief Road police said two suspects with rifles shot a man.
March 17, 2024 - Jacksonville Beach Police said one of the shooters used a rifle or AR-style pistol.
Jefferson said its alarming to see rifles used to shoot people in public spaces like gas stations, shopping plazas, and in Jax beaches’ business district.
“The unfortunate thing about these types of incidents is, the person that's shooting has no regard for anything or anybody that you your family, persons around, they have one goal and one objective. And that is to reach as much violence as they possibly can," Jefferson said.
Jefferson said it’s a challenge for police to track these guns in busy areas such as Jax Beach.
He said it’s easier for criminals to conceal them in the crowd.
“There's no way that police or any law enforcement can detect it unless they happen to see something that maybe that looks suspicious that's hanging out of a trench coat or a large bulging type object that gets their attention.”