The Jacksonville community is on alert Saturday, February 14, 2026, as reports circulate of a shooting incident at The Avenues in Jacksonville, Florida. The situation developed rapidly in the early evening, prompting fear and confusion among shoppers and residents.
According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media platforms, including user posts from people at the scene, gunfire was reported near the food court and parking area of the Avenues Mall, leading many inside the mall to take shelter or evacuate as law enforcement officers arrived.
Some users reported hearing several shots and seeing a heavy police presence with multiple patrol vehicles arriving quickly. Others described being directed to hide in stores or exit through rear exits as officers cleared the mall.
At this time, official law enforcement and media outlets have not released confirmed details about an active shooter, the number of victims, or suspect information.
Local posts suggest the incident may stem from an altercation between individuals that escalated to gunfire, and some accounts indicate the shots were outside the mall near the food court, rather than inside the shopping center itself.
Previous incidents at The Avenues Mall have involved separate shootings in the parking lot and nearby areas, and Jacksonville law enforcement has addressed similar situations in the past.
For example, a 2023 shooting outside the mall — unrelated to current events — resulted in charges for attempted murder, and authorities have continued to monitor safety around the area.
Officials have urged residents to avoid the area while officers investigate and to rely on verified updates from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) or major local news sources for accurate information. As of now, no confirmed casualties or official suspect details have been released by authorities.
