The Fateful Afternoon

On January 1, 2017, as Jacksonville residents celebrated the dawn of a new year, a devastating event unfolded at the intersection of East 18th and North Main Streets. At approximately 3:53 p.m., a confrontation erupted among a large group of men, estimated to be at least two dozen strong. Witnesses reported that what began as a heated argument quickly escalated into violence, culminating in the sound of gunfire that shattered the afternoon calm. Amid the chaos, 22-year-old Kareem Hagan was fatally shot, marking the city's first homicide of 2017.

The Victims

The shooting claimed the lives of two young men. Kareem Hagan, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. Seventeen-year-old Marquis Marquez sustained critical injuries and was transported to UF Health Jacksonville, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The loss of these two individuals not only marked a tragic beginning to the year but also left their families and the community grappling with grief and unanswered questions. ...Read More