Child deaths devastating: $13,000 rewards offered in recent Jacksonville cases
Recent child killings have haunted Jacksonville and devasted their families without any justice. The Sheriff's Office announced that for two that occurred within days of each other, rewards have been increased to $13,000 each for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
The Sheriff's Office said the charitable donations came from the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation.
In the first case, 3-year-old Kae’Lynn Marie Matthews, Jaquann Tarshon Mitchell, 23, and Keonte Deshaun Johnson, 24, were killed and another adult was wounded when gunfire erupted on Sept. 23 at JTB Apartments on A.C. Skinner Parkway, according to court records.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Kae'Lynn's family. She was with a group of five who had gone to the apartment complex regarding the possible private sale of a dog when a dispute led to the gunfire, the Sheriff's Office previously said.
In the second case, 6-year-old Mi'King Sims died in an early morning shooting that also wounded a 12-year-old girl and a man on Sept. 27 at Hollybrook Homes Apartments on King Street. Sheriff T.K. Waters later said the two children were asleep in their beds when they were struck by a single bullet.
The Sheriff's Office and MAD DADS Jacksonville Chapter teamed up over the weekend and went to the apartment complex knocking on doors to try to learn anything new. A candlelight vigil also paid tribute to Mi'King.
Anyone with information regarding either case is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $13,000, call First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS or text **8477.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Shooting deaths of two Jacksonville children, 3 and 6, lead to rewards
