For the 2nd time in 6 days, Jacksonville police are at The Avenues. Here's what we know.

Gary T. Mills, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
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For the second time in six days, Jacksonville police are on scene at The Avenues mall on the city’s Southside investigating an incident.

Earlier social media posts and reports of an active shooter inside the mall turned out to be false. Instead, police said the incident happened outside near the mall.

Here's what we know about the incident.

What happened today at The Avenues mall?

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the department has “responded to a reported Aggravated Assault following an apparent road rage incident near the Avenues Mall.” There, they are talking with a potential victim to determine what happened.

Was there an active shooter at The Avenues?

In the same post to X, police said “there has been nothing identified that would indicate an active shooter anywhere in or around the mall.”

Was The Avenues mall evacuated?

Times-Union news partner First Coast News reported that witnesses said the mall had been evacuated at one point earlier Wednesday.

What happened in the earlier incident at the mall?

On Friday, Dec. 1, a man in his 20s was shot in the parking lot of The Avenues mall and was able make it inside to the food court to get help. The incident caused some panic, but the mall was never on lockdown, with no danger to shoppers since the criminal activity happened outside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Wounded in the upper body, the man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said.

Where is The Avenues mall?

The Avenues mall is located at 13500 Southside Blvd. at Philips Highway and I-95 on Jacksonville's Southside.

When did The Avenues open?

The mall opened more than 33 years ago, on Sept. 26, 1990.

How many stores does The Avenues have?

The Avenues is home to more than 120 stores, restaurants and other services, including retail anchors J.C. Penney, Dillard's, Belk and Forever 21.

What restaurants operate at The Avenues food court?

According to the mall's website, food court kiosks include Sbarro, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Popeye's Chicken, Bourbon Street Grill, Sushi Burrito Express, 21 Queen Street Coffee Company, Ruby Thai, Chick-fil-A and Sarku Japan.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville police at The Avenues mall after apparent road rage act