Jacksonville mayor urges gun owners to secure firearms after weekend shooting that killed an 18-year-old

Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore on Saturday called for greater responsibility among gun owners after a weekend shooting that left an 18-year-old man dead near a neighborhood where children often gather to play.

"Senseless," Elmore said of the latest killing, and he recalled a separate shooting weeks earlier in which a six-year-old boy died while riding in a car. "Wrong place, wrong time," Elmore said, describing the child as an "innocent victim." He said the city is seeing similar violence across central Arkansas, especially among people "generally you will see this anywhere from 15 to 22" years old.

Elmore said city leaders are working with the police chief and other officials on responses but added that prevention also "starts at home," urging parents to teach children not to use violence to resolve conflicts. He also urged gun owners to secure firearms, saying the weapons teens are using in some incidents are "usually stolen." "Don't leave your gun in your car -- and especially don't leave it unlocked -- in your car," Elmore said.

A field report described remnants of bicycles and yard toys on the 300 block of Spruce Street and quoted neighbors who said children had been playing basketball in front of houses before the shooting scattered the group. The weekend incident was described by local police as Jacksonville's second homicide of the year; officials have not released additional details about the shooting.

City Councilor Dr. Tamika McCoy said she plans to raise gun violence at the next community conversations meeting, indicating an upcoming local forum where residents and officials can discuss responses and prevention steps.

The report did not provide further specifics such as the victim's name, the circumstances of the shooting, or whether any arrests had been made. Police details and any formal actions by the city will be reported as they become available.