School sports may get major changes after rash of violence

Superintendent: Football games in fall could be moved if violence does not stop

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Local activists are stepping up anti-crime efforts on the same evening that the Duval County School superintendent talked about security measures that could affect high school graduations in Jacksonville as well as next year's football season.  

First Coast and Ed White high schools were supposed to play a scrimmage game Thursday evening at First Coast's Northside stadium, but school officials moved the game to the afternoon at Ed White on the Westside and shut the public -- and the media -- out of the game.

Many speculated the decision had to do with two recent shootings that claimed the lives of First Coast High School football players.

Those shooting also sparked an event Thursday night at a Northside church called "A Call for 1,000 Men." It's one of many events that's happened in recent weeks to lower violence issues after a rash of shootings in Jacksonville. 

Johnnel Johnson

Police say on April 25 someone shot and killed Johnnel Johnson (pictured) at an after-prom party. Another teen was also hurt.

Then, last week, someone shot and killed Jacquon Reeves (pictured below) at a park, and another teen was injured.

Also last week, investigators say 16-year-old Edgar Robles, who went to Ed White, shot into a school bus, hitting two girls in the head. They're recovering.

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said he hopes the violence will stop. If it doesn't, he may have to beef up security at graduations and even change the days and times of football games in the fall.

"I'd rather be having to justify this, then trying to justify why we moved forward and there was a shooting or an incident," Vitti said. "It only takes that 1 percent or less to do something horrific, no different than what we saw in the school bus shooting."

Vitti said that's why he decided to close Thursday's Jamboree between First Coast and Ed White to the public. It's because a rash of gun violence has sewn fear into students, parents and administrators alike. Players, coaches, police and college scouts were the only ones allowed in.

"I know that parents are a bit frustrated with not seeing their children participate. All of my children participate in sports. I love to see them," Vitti said. "But I think, again, we have to put everything in context and see the bigger picture here, which is this is a scrimmage, kids are still able to scrimmage, and we've dramatically reduced the opportunity for another violent situation to happen."

Police were guarding the stadium in patrol cars.

Some parents shut out of the stadium didn't agree with the decision.

"Just beef up security," Ed White booster club president Kadisha Davis said. "I'm sure they would not have had a problem to add seven more officers, if that's what you need. That's the answer. Just beef up security."

Vitti said that's exactly what he'll be doing at upcoming graduations. Because of the threats, there will be extra police at some graduations this year.

A group of pastors behind Operation Save Our Sons was pushing peace on Thursday. But they don't think closing off the football Jamboree is the right way to do it.

"It's not the solution, because eventually our young people have to learn to live together and to relate together," Save Our Sons founder Pastor John Guns said. "So we've got to change the climate and the culture."

Some parents and siblings at Thursday's scrimmage said they don't think shutting them out is helping.

"If we are going to support our children and keep them out of gangs, give them something that we can depend on, then how are we going to take this away?" Ed White parent Kecia Johnson said.

"It is not fair," Davis said. "They work too hard over the spring for this to happen to them today."

"It's very disappointing," said Josh Johnson, whose brother plays at Ed White. "I know for me, out on the field personally, when you look out into the field and you look into the stands for support, you see your family and friends."

Vitti said it pained him to take that experience away from the student-athletes at First Coast and Ed White. But he said the district is doing everything it can to keep students safe.

"We cannot operate in an atmosphere of fear," said pastor RL Gundy of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. "We should be able to come together and work together and do something." 

According to an Ed White coach, the Commanders won the scrimmage 12-7.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.