Security Guard Shot While Intervening In Fight

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- A 31-year-old father of four continued on Monday to fight for his life after police said someone shot him while he was working at a Northwest Jacksonville apartment complex last weekend.

Investigators said James Hayes was wounded while trying to intervene after hearing gunshots fired at the Hilltop Apartments Saturday night.

According to the police report, a group of young men were shooting at each other and Hayes tried to mediate the situation.

Police said they found Hayes lying beside a guard post, critically injured. The men involved in the fight, they said, were gone.

His family members spoke out on Monday, saying they want answers.

"I just want the guy or guys … to come up front and somebody needs to do something," said the victim's brother, Jason Hayes.

He said his brother's youngest child is only 1 year old, and that his fiancee has been by his side since the shooting.

"He's fun. He likes to tell jokes -- a little silly. Over all, he's a good guy. He don't harm nobody. He looks after his family," said Jason Hayes.

The family gathered together in shock, praying and trying to deal with the frightening idea that Hayes might not survive.

"It's just terrifying right now," said Hayes' brother, Isaiah Jackson.

The owner of the security company for which Hayes works said Hayes was the only guard on duty at the time of the shooting. He said from now on his company wouldn't work with any fewer than two guards at the Hilltop Apartments.

Anyone with information about who shot Hayes is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS. In addition to the $1,000 reward from Crimestoppers, the security company is also offering $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

was this on FCN last week while my modem was down? and gee..go figure..no one saw nuttin!

didn't his momma teach him to not walk into the "middle" of a gunfight!

i should hear about my job app for mall security next week. i'da busted their ballz. just wait. i'm gunno be a mall police officer. you friggin losers.

p rainwater wrote:

i should hear about my job app for mall security next week. i'da busted their ballz. just wait. i'm gunno be a mall police officer. you friggin losers.

mall and police are NOT two words that belong in the same sentenace......you would be security at the very most, and we all know they have little to no real power..........

Is there a mall jail?

Julianna wrote:

Is there a mall jail?

Yea...I think its Regency Square Mall...where the thugs like to hang out...