Witnesses describe pure chaos. “People started running as the shots rang out,” one attendee told Action News Jax. “I saw two guys drop, a woman fall holding her leg — everyone was screaming, pushing, trying to hide behind cars and benches.” Video captured on cellphones shows flashes from at least two weapons, people diving to the ground, others sprinting toward exits. Four victims were rushed to hospital: two men (ages 28 and 31) and two women (ages 24 and 36), all with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. No fatalities were reported from the memorial shooting itself, but the emotional toll on those gathered to remember Poppa was immediate and profound.

Sheriff T.K. Waters confirmed the incident is being treated as a “targeted attack.” “This was not random,” he said at a late-night press briefing. “We believe it was related to ongoing disputes in the Jacksonville music and street scene. We are reviewing surveillance footage from the park and surrounding streets, and we are asking anyone who was present or has information to come forward immediately.” No suspects have been named, but police say they are focusing on “known associates” and vehicles seen leaving the area at high speed.

The shooting has reopened deep wounds in Jacksonville’s rap community. Lil Poppa, 24, was gunned down on November 17, 2025, in a parking lot ambush that also killed his collaborator “Lil Dee.” Many fans and artists believe his death was retaliation in the long-running OTF vs. KTA feud that claimed Foolio’s life in 2024. Wednesday’s memorial violence has only strengthened that belief. “They came to disrespect his memory,” one attendee posted online. “This wasn’t random. They wanted to send a message.”