Gunshots Reported Near Raines High School in Jacksonville

A former student was shot and injured, but no students were harmed in the incident.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:56am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing or other physical evidence from the crime scene, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the violent incident that occurred near the high school.A stark, gritty image of physical evidence from the shooting incident near Raines High School exposes the harsh realities of violence in the community.Today in Jacksonville

A fight broke out on Monday afternoon near Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida, leading to gunshots being fired. A 20-year-old former student was shot multiple times and taken to the hospital, where he is expected to survive. Over a dozen people were detained, but it's unclear if any of them were current Raines High School students. The school was immediately placed on lockdown, and no students or facilities were harmed.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about safety and security around the Raines High School campus, as well as the potential for ongoing conflicts involving former students. It also highlights the need for effective communication and coordination between the school, law enforcement, and the local community to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to violence in the area.

The details

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, they received a call just before 2:40 PM on Monday about a fight happening on Raines Vikings Way near Raines High School. Investigators say a 20-year-old man was shot multiple times, and he was taken to the hospital where he is now in stable condition and expected to survive. Internal district messages indicate the victim is a former Raines High School student who dropped out in 2023. Over a dozen people were detained, but it's unclear if any of them were current Raines students.

  • The incident occurred just before 2:40 PM on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Maleah Smothers

A Raines High School student who was present during the incident and heard the gunshots.

Marcus Smothers

Maleah Smothers' father, who appreciates the school's communication about the incident and feels his daughter is safe at Raines High School.

Jacob Vorpahl

A commander with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, who stated that the victim is not a current Raines High School student and the incident did not occur on the school's campus.

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What they’re saying

“We hear screaming and fighting, and then we hear two gun shots, and immediately the football coaches that were out there they told us to go into the field house.”

— Maleah Smothers, Raines High School student

“The victim, it's important to note, is not a student. The incident did not occur on Raines' campus, and the school was placed on immediate lockdown when the shooting occurred, and there was no harm to any students or facilities.”

— Jacob Vorpahl, JSO Commander

“I can always appreciate the conversation, that anything that happens here is always clear. We know what's going on, so my daughter is safe here, and I'm good with that.”

— Marcus Smothers, Maleah Smothers' father

What’s next

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says they will provide additional patrol officers at Raines High School on Tuesday morning, 30 minutes before and after dismissal, as a precautionary measure.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining a safe and secure environment around schools, even when the violence does not directly involve current students. It underscores the importance of strong communication, coordination, and proactive measures between law enforcement, schools, and the community to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to conflicts in the area.