A man who was once a drug dealer is telling others his story in the hopes that it will help stop the violence in Jacksonville.
This comes after a 19-month-old girl was struck by gunfire while in a vehicle with two women driving eastbound on Brooklyn Road.
Police said the shooting happened in the 2100 block of Brooklyn Road. The car was found in the 2100 block of Meharry Avenue where first responders took the child to the hospital.
Neighbors and police say at least 15 gunshots were heard. Those shots were also spotted by Shotspotter.
The two women in the car were the intended targets according to the police, but they were not hurt.
The 19-month-old girl is expected to recover from the shooting according to her family. Other Jacksonville residents feel that is traumatizing to that child and her family.
Dana Miller turned from a drug-dealer to a barbershop owner is sharing his story in hoping that people will turn away from a violent crime lifestyle.
“[A 19-month-old] getting shot, that’s very sad,” he said.
Miller owns the Man Cave Barbershop on A Phillip Randolph Boulevard.
He says he was a part of the violence in Jacksonville. Now he’s a part of the solution.
He was once was a drug dealer who was shot ten times. He went to prison for ten years and his brother was also killed because of gun violence.
But he wants to share the message that the consequences of crimes are too great.
“The things they’re doing, I’ve done it," Miller said. "I’m just blessed that I’m still alive, and it’s no guarantee you’ll get to the point where I’m at in my life because the times have changed but the crime is still the same.”
Police say those involved ran away from the scene, but they do not have a description of the suspect or suspects at this time.
If you have any information, call Crimestoppers at (866) 845-TIPS.