JACKSONVILLE, AR — The Jacksonville Police Department (JPD) is actively investigating a fatal shooting that took place Thursday evening at Dupree Park. De’Andre Gooden, a resident of Jacksonville, tragically lost his life in the incident, according to authorities.
According to JPD officials, officers were dispatched to Dupree Park, located at 1700 South Redmond Road, around 6:32 p.m. on Thursday, after receiving reports of a shooting near the park’s playground area—a location that is typically filled with families and children.
As officers were making their way to the park, they encountered an alarming development: a black passenger vehicle had crashed at the intersection of West Main Street and T.P. White Drive, just a short distance from the park. Upon further investigation, officers determined that the driver of the vehicle had sustained gunshot wounds during the earlier shooting at Dupree Park.
Emergency medical services were immediately called to the crash scene, and the victim—later identified as 28-year-old De’Andre Gooden—was rushed to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Gooden succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Police have since launched a full-scale investigation and are actively searching for the suspect or suspects involved. As of Friday morning, no arrests have been made, and law enforcement officials have not yet released a description of the individual believed to be responsible for the shooting.
Dupree Park, a popular recreational area in the heart of Jacksonville, was quickly cordoned off following the incident, with police placing crime scene tape around key areas and working late into the evening to gather evidence.
Detectives have been reviewing surveillance footage from the area and speaking with potential witnesses in an effort to piece together the timeline of events and identify those involved.
The community has been deeply shocked by the news of Gooden’s death. Friends and neighbors described him as a friendly and outgoing young man, well-known in Jacksonville. Many expressed disbelief that such violence had erupted in a family-friendly public space during daylight hours.
“This is heartbreaking,” said one resident who frequently visits Dupree Park. “That’s a place where kids play, where people go to unwind. We never expect something like this to happen there.”
As the investigation continues, the Jacksonville Police Department is urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in or around Dupree Park on Thursday evening to come forward. Even small details could prove critical to solving the case and bringing justice for De’Andre Gooden and his grieving family.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 501-982-3191. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the department’s official tip line.
The city of Jacksonville now mourns the loss of another young life to senseless violence, as police work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
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