Despite an overall decrease in homicides, teen gun violence increased in Jacksonville compared to last year

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – While Jacksonville has seen a drastic decrease in murders and homicides compared to last year, News4JAX archives show that teen gun violence continues to be a problem.

One of the most recent deadly shootings occurred June 9 in Jacksonville's North Side, where two 16-year-old boys were shot and killed at an apartment complex.

News like this strikes a chord with Kelly Frazier, president of the Northside Coalition, an organization that works to bring positive change to Northside neighborhoods.

“Heartbreaking. I couldn’t imagine being the parents of these children lost to violence,” Frazier said.

The numbers suggest that while the overall number of murders is declining in Jacksonville, the number of teens shot and killed continues.

In 2019, nine teenagers were shot, this number fell to five in 2020 and 2021, before increasing to 10 in 2022.

Last year, nine teenagers lost their lives to gun violence.

This time last year, three teenagers were killed. Already in 2024, five teenagers have been shot and killed.

According to Youth.gov, which compiles data from organizations such as the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 12 young people ages 10 to 24 are killed every day, while another 1,400 are injured and taken to local hospitals.

“Every situation is different and there are so many different reasons and consequences why people are in the situations they are in,” Frazier said.

Frazier said there are many programs available for children and teens that can help them stay out of trouble – especially in the summer – a time when this age group may be more vulnerable because school is not not in progress.

“There are a lot of different programs here, whether it’s at the YMCA, the city has certain programs. I know sometimes the problem is money and even transportation, but there are many different options for help, including grants for people who have money problems so that they can get that money so that kids can participate in the programs,” Frazier said.

Frazier also shared a message aimed at teenagers.

“If you know it’s wrong and the people they hang out with aren’t good influences, stay away from them,” she said.