Deputies searching for suspects who shot 6 people in downtown Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six people have been shot in downtown Jacksonville, according to officials from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Deputies are searching for any suspects in the shooting, who they said drove away from the scene.

Ron Lendvay, director of Investigations and Homeland Security at JSO, said the shooting occurred around 12:35 p.m. outside of a laundromat on the 900 block of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and Pippin Street. Lendvay said deputies believe the suspect was in a gray or silver four-door vehicle, possibly a Nissan Altima or Maxima. 

The shots were fired by the passenger of the car, but it is currently unknown if the shooter exited the car or drove by as the shots were fired, Lendvay said. He said deputies are investigating what led up to the shooting and believe it may be gang-related.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office released a photo of the car that the suspect was driving. 

Six adults, five men and one woman, were shot outside of the laundromat, Lendvay said. Three of those victims were reported by the Sheriff's Office as being in critical condition. Lendvay said all of the victims, whose ages range from 20s to 70s, were transported to local hospitals.

Surveillance video from the area may show the suspects and the vehicle involved, Lendvay said. He said there are at least two suspects, as one was driving and one was shooting from the passenger side, but there may be more.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact  the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

The intersection is near TIAA Bank Field, where the Jacksonville Jaguars have a game that started at 1 p.m. Lendvay said that while the shooting did not impact the game, the surrounding area is closed off. Deputies will escort any attendees who parked in the area to their cars and have released traffic directions on Twitter.

In August, a man opened fire and killed two people and himself during a gaming tournament in downtown Jacksonville. The scene of that shooting is less than 2 miles away from this scene.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 6/ClickOrlando for updates.