3 dead in NW Jacksonville’s apartment; 4 teenagers arrested after stalking

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Two men and a woman were killed Monday night in an apartment complex in northwest Jacksonville and four teenagers were taken into custody after the pursuit of a stolen car that police saw leaving the area, officials said.

The shooting took place around 11:50 pm at Calloway Cove Apartments, near West Moncrief Road, near Cleveland Road.

A homicide detective at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said his Gang Unit was working on an assignment near the apartment complex when officers heard gunshots nearby and spotted a vehicle that appeared to be fleeing the scene.

The vehicle, which police say was stolen from Clay County, drove police in a chase for several miles before finally being stopped by a police officer using a PIT maneuver.

Police said they arrested four people and recovered weapons from the vehicle. The investigation took the police back to Building E of the complex, where they found three people shot to death in an apartment.

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According to several sources, there are five suspects, some of them minors, including a 14-year-old teenager. Sources identified one of the suspects as Keon Lester, 18, who charged a charge of murder and a charge of criminal conspiracy in a life or felony crime of the first degree.

A neighbor told News4Jax that she heard what sounded like about 20-30 shots in the compound on Tuesday.

News4Jax crime and security expert Ken Jefferson said the presence of the JSO Gang Unit will be the key to the case.

“It turns out that the gang squad was in the area, obviously already investigating the gang’s activity, and very happy to hear the shots when they fired, otherwise it would take a response time for the units to get there and these suspects who fled the scene would have disappeared a long time ago, ”said Jefferson.

The apartment complex is about three blocks from where a 19-year-old was shot and killed last month. Police said more than 100 people were in the area at the time, but no one gave information about the case.

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The area has been fighting violent crime for years. In 2015, Jacksonville City Council named 4229 Moncrief Road as one of the best places in town where you would likely fall victim to a violent crime.

In 2018, Millennia Companies purchased the complex at 4229 W. Moncrief Road and spent $ 10.6 million on renovations. A company spokesman issued a statement to News4Jax in response to Monday’s violence.

“We are saddened by this violence and sympathized with the people affected by the incident,” said the statement in part. “Our property management and leadership teams are deeply engaged in responding to this event and cooperating with law enforcement authorities as they continue their investigations. For those who need help during this difficult time, we provide counselors for residents and employees. “

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Anyone with information about this case should contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 904-630-0500 or via [email protected]. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.