Shelmika "Mika" Felton, age 34, was killed on April 23, 2015, during a drive-by shooting in the New Town neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. Felton was at the intersection of Tyler and Windle Streets when a dark-colored sedan drove by and opened fire. The drive-by incident left two women dead and one man injured. Felton, who was in the area to get her car fixed, was caught in the crossfire, becoming an unintended victim of the violence.
Her mother confirmed that Felton had no involvement in the ongoing gang conflicts, describing her presence there as being "in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The drive-by shooting was linked to ongoing gang violence in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office indicated that the shooting was likely connected to gang activity, possibly in retaliation for other recent violent incidents. Felton and another victim, Sherika Edwards, were both killed in the incident, while a third male victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Jacksonville authorities have described the rising gang-related violence as a significant concern, as there were multiple documented gangs operating in the area, fueling cycles of retaliatory violence.
Despite witnesses being present at the time of the shooting, the lack of cooperation from those who were present has posed significant challenges for law enforcement in solving this case. Authorities are hopeful that surveillance video and tips from the community will provide leads, but as of now, no suspects have been identified or arrested. The incident underscores the continuing struggle in Jacksonville to address gang-related violence, which has been affecting both gang members and innocent bystanders alike.
