Police are seeking information on gunfire at the youth football jamboree as parents dull the fate of the season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Police are searching for information about gunfire that broke out during a youth football jamboree at a Mandarin park on Sunday, the sheriff announced in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The request for information comes hours before parents of youth football players met with the Mandarin Athletics Association to determine whether the spring soccer season will be canceled.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. Sunday, officials responded to shots fired at Greenland Park, where about 500 players and supporters gathered for youth football matches.

Investigators said there was a dispute among spectators during the jamboree. Investigators said a man displayed a semi-automatic rifle, and at one point several shots were fired.

Although no victims were identified, the incident could have ‘serious consequences’, the sheriff said.

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“It could have been very, very horrible, a very bad situation if that weapon was fired at those kids,” said News4Jax, crime and security expert Ken Jefferson.

According to parents, there was no safety at Greeland Park during the incident. According to a police report, several officers, two K-9 units and the JSO helicopter responded to the scene.

The sheriff’s office said: “In the conversation with the promoter of the event, investigating officers achieved very little cooperation or success in identifying potential victims and witnesses of the incident,” therefore officials are asking for the public’s help. Police said they were trying to identify the gunman, who was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a red belt.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff by calling 904-630-0500 or sending an email to [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).

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The jamboree was hosted by the Mandarin Athletics Association, and more than two dozen parents met with members of the association on Tuesday night to discuss whether the youth soccer season will be canceled this spring. The meeting was closed to the media, but one of the parents spoke to News4Jax about what happened.

“They apologized and actually left it to the parents on how they would decide to move forward with the season,” parent Sabrina Brown said. “I have already sent my message to the coach to say that my son will not return.”

News4Jax has been told that the parents are planning to go home and make their decision, and if a majority of parents do not allow their child to return, the association will cancel the spring season because there are not enough players to compete . Parents like Brown will also repay the money they paid in advance for their child to participate in spring football. But if they have enough kids to keep the spring season going, the association will make sure every game has security.

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“We’ll have to pay extra, possibly at the gate, to pay for the security,” Brown said.

The cost is per person walking through the gate, and Brown said it could contribute if large families come to the games.

“It was already $ 5 apiece, which does not sound like much, but if you have your grandparents with you and other children with you, siblings who do not play, it can pick up quickly,” she said.

Earlier Tuesday, News4Jax learned that parents also said Elite South Youth Football League wants parks to be responsible for safety. As of Tuesday night, ESYFL had not returned News4Jax’s request for comment.

Sunday was the first game of ten for the kids who participated in the league.

One of the coaches told News4Jax that the past few days have been difficult for anyone who has seen what happened during the jamboree. The Mandarin Athletics Association also announced at Tuesday night’s meeting that a cardiac counselor will be available free of charge to any child or adult traumatized by Sunday’s incident.