Marquis Marquez, a 17-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, was tragically killed on January 1, 2017, in a drive-by shooting. The incident, which occurred on East 18th and Main Streets in the Springfield neighborhood, marked the first homicide in Jacksonville for the year. Marquez, along with 22-year-old Kareem Hagan, was struck by gunfire while standing outside. Hagan died at the scene, while Marquez was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded quickly to the scene and canvassed the neighborhood, but no immediate arrests were made. Family members of Marquez expressed deep grief and called for an end to the violence, noting that the young teen had a love for football. The incident left the community shaken, as shell casings and bullet holes were found at the scene, indicating the brutality of the attack.
The investigation into the deaths of both Marquez and Hagan continued as authorities sought to identify those responsible, with witnesses being urged to come forward to help solve the case. This senseless act of violence remains part of a larger struggle to curb gun violence in Jacksonville.
