JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Homicide detectives are investigating after the body of a young man was found on Harlow Boulevard on Friday morning by children walking to school.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the victim was between 15 and 20 years old. Police have not released his name or said how he died, but they have a clue.
"We were not able to get close enough to the body to determine if there were signs of trauma," said JSO Sgt. Steve Zona. "However, last night between 10 and 11 some of the neighbors did heard gunshots in the area. They did not call police."
Residents in the Cedar Hills neighborhood said gunfire is not uncommon.
"It's scary," said Pat, who would only give her first name. "We heard shots before, and fire crackers, so we did not think nothing about it."
Others said the death is an unfortunate sign of the times.
"It's just senseless killings that need to stop," said Nick Cannoe. "Until people can stand up and take a stand and put the right people in office, we are just going downhill."
Police blocked traffic on Harlow between Fender Drive and Arthur Durham Drive most of the morning while they investigated. Detectives were seen interviewing middle-school age students, while officers using metal detectors were looking for evidence.
Anyone who saw something suspicious in the area or knows anything about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.