JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says a reported kidnapped victim has been found safe.
Chelsea Elaine Swafford was found Saturday evening after she was reportedly abducted by two men in the 5300 block of Palmer Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. Friday night, JSO said.
Police received reports from a caller stating that the kidnapping was to find out where the eventual murder victim was, JSO said. The kidnappers held the kidnapped victims for several hours until the murder victim was shot and killed by one of the kidnappers, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Both the kidnapping and murder cases are still being investigated. JSO continues to ask for the community's help in searching for the suspect.
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One man is dead after a shooting Saturday morning in the Lakeshore area.
The shooting happened around 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of Retlaw Street and Appleton Avenue, south of San Juan Avenue, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Police received multiple calls from neighbors who reported hearing gunshots and later saw a man running from the scene, JSO said.
When police arrived at the scene, they found a Black male dead at the scene. Though the victim has not been identified, neighbors told police the victim is known in the area, JSO said.
However, during their investigation, someone called JSO to tell them the victim's death was linked to a kidnapping the night before. The person told police a white male and Black female were abducted by two Black males in the 5300 block of Palmer Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. Friday night, according to the JSO.
The caller told police the kidnapping was to find out where the eventual murder victim was, JSO said. The kidnappers held the kidnapped victims for several hours until the murder victim was shot and killed by one of the kidnappers, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The white male was eventually freed, however, the Black female remains missing. Police identified her as 27-year-old Chelsea Elaine Swafford. She is a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. She is about 5'4'' tall.
Police are also searching for the subject in the picture below. He is believed to be involved in the case.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. You may also call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.