Shooting interrupts youth football game at Bob Hays Sports Complex
Two adults were wounded by gunfire Friday night during a football game at the Bob Hays Sports Complex on Jacksonville’s Westside, officials said, heightening concerns about safety at community youth events.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred at about 9 p.m. at the complex, located at 5000 Soutel Drive, during a matchup between two small private schools: Young Kids in Motion Academy and Joshua Christian Academy.
Authorities identified the victims as a 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man. Both were transported to area hospitals and were listed in stable condition Saturday morning, according to a JSO news release. The woman sustained a leg wound; the man was struck in the shoulder.
Dispute escalated before shots were fired
JSO reports the shooting followed a dispute between two groups of individuals at the sports complex. Spectators escorted one group from the scene after the disagreement began to escalate, but the second group remained. A short time later, the first group returned and gunfire erupted, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators are seeking two male suspects described as being in their late teens to early 20s. No arrests were reported in the JSO release.
- When: About 9 p.m. Friday
- Where: Bob Hays Sports Complex, 5000 Soutel Drive, Westside Jacksonville
- Victims: 19-year-old woman (leg wound); 20-year-old man (shoulder wound) — both stable
- Suspects: Two males, late teens to early 20s, at large
"It's really sad, we have to stop the violence now," one parent said after the incident, appealing for community action to protect children at local activities.
Parents and coaches at the game described the event as a family-oriented gathering intended to keep children engaged in constructive activities. Several attendees voiced frustration and fear after the shooting, with a relative of participants calling for broader community efforts to curb violence and provide more programs for local youth.
Community context and concerns
The shooting raises questions about security at school sporting events and other community gatherings where children are present. Organizers of youth athletics frequently emphasize the importance of supervised activities as a way to deter risky behavior, and families at Friday’s game echoed that view in the wake of the incident.
Law enforcement has not released further details about a potential motive or whether the two wounded adults were directly involved in the initial dispute. JSO asked anyone with information or footage from the game to contact investigators. Information from witnesses, bystanders or video taken at the complex could be critical to locating the two suspects.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Friday, about 9 p.m. |
| Location | Bob Hays Sports Complex, 5000 Soutel Drive |
| Victims | 19-year-old woman (leg), 20-year-old man (shoulder) — both stable |
| Suspects | Two males, late teens to early 20s — being sought by JSO |
As investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events, community leaders and parents are likely to push for a review of security measures at youth sporting events and for increased outreach to keep children and families safe. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid the investigation.
This developing story raises immediate concerns for families who attend school and recreational events across the city, particularly on the Westside where this incident occurred. The outcome of the JSO investigation will determine whether charges are filed and whether additional safety steps are recommended for future events.
