A man who was fatally shot outside a Jacksonville restaurant has been identified by family members as 39-year-old Kenneth Mobley. The deadly shooting took place Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of Copeland’s restaurant, located at the intersection of Southside Boulevard and Touchton Road.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), officers responded to reports of gunfire shortly before 3 p.m. The incident prompted a large police response, including K-9 units, a drone, and a helicopter. When officers arrived, they found Mobley suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators say Mobley had arranged to meet someone in the parking lot, though the purpose of the meeting remains unclear. Authorities have not confirmed whether the meeting was personal or business-related, and they continue to investigate the events that led to the deadly confrontation. JSO has not released a motive or identified a suspect at this time.
Three individuals were detained at the scene and questioned by police, but no arrests have been made. Investigators are still working to determine if any of the people questioned were directly involved in the shooting or may have witnessed what happened. Authorities have also released limited information about a dark-colored four-door vehicle, possibly a Nissan, seen leaving the area shortly after the gunfire.
Nearby workers and customers were startled by the sudden violence. Yana Royter, who works at Brass Tacks Coffee Co. just a short distance away, described the chaos that followed the shooting. “We heard the shots and ran inside. We didn’t know what was going on, so we locked the doors and waited for the police to arrive,” she said. “It was very frightening.”
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500. Detectives are also reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses in hopes of identifying potential suspects or additional witnesses.
Mobley’s death has left his family and community devastated. Loved ones have begun sharing tributes on social media, remembering him as a kind and hardworking man. The shooting has renewed concerns about gun violence in Jacksonville and the need for community involvement to help bring those responsible to justice.