17-Year-Old Dead Following Shooting On Westside

By Angela Spears First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A 17 year-old Jacksonville boy is dead. Police say Reco Melvin was the victim of a shooting on the Westside Tuesday (July 24) morning. Melvin was shot at Eureka Gardens Apartments. Authorities do not have a suspect in custody.

Police do not have many details surrounding the teen's death. The say police nearby heard shots shortly after 5 a.m. Authorities say Melvin was transported to Shands Jacksonville where he was pronounced dead.

His uncle, Ray Nolan, told First Coast News he is hearing several stories about what happened to his nephew. He says he got home about 1:30 a.m. and saw his nephew and several friends hanging out. He went inside an apartment and less than an hour later, he says he got word someone shot Melvin.

According to Nolan, a man in a green 2-door Explorer got out of the vehicle and started shooting into the crowd. He says initially his nephew's friends ran and Melvin didn't move until he saw the gun. Nolan says the person chased his family member out of his shoes. "When they transported him, he wasn't breathing."

Nolan also says he wasn't satisfied with the response time in getting Reco Melvin to the hospital. This death hits him especially hard. He lost a friend yesterday to a shooting in Jacksonville. He says he doesn't understand these shootings. Nolan told First Coast News, "For what? For what(are they dying for)?"

Police do not have a description of the suspect. If you have information that can help police, call our partner, First Coast Crimestoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You don't have to give your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

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