Teen shot in Julington Creek botched drug deal

Historic City News learned today that a 19-year-old Duval County man became the victim in a “botched drug deal” that turned into an attempted armed robbery; and, ended with him being shot in the chest by the man he was meeting in the parking lot of a Julington Creek restaurant.

According to St Johns County Sheriff’s Media Relations Officer, Kevin Kelshaw, the armed robbery victim, a 19-year-old white male, had arranged to buy drugs from an unknown man in the parking lot of Moe’s Southwest Grill on SR-13 North Monday night.

While the victim was sitting in his vehicle, waiting for the alleged drug dealer, he told police that a young black male jumped into the back seat and held a gun to his head; demanding “everything he had”.

The victim stated that he grabbed the gun and that the two men struggled with the weapon before it discharged; once into the victim’s lower chest.

The victim drove himself to Baptist South Hospital and was then taken by air ambulance to UF Health Jacksonville for additional treatment.

Jacksonville police interviewed the man at the hospital and developed some solid leads that are being followed at this time — including the “street name” of the man believed to have committed the robbery.

According to Kelshaw, following surgery, the victim was listed in stable condition.

If you were in the area of the incident Monday night and observed anything that might be helpful to police, or, if you know anything about this incident or the people involved in either the drug deal or the robbery, you may remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS (8477).