There are rising concerns about the safety of downtown Jacksonville.
On Wednesday, a 17-year-old skateboarder was attacked on Laura Street and the suspect is still out there.
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According to the report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a witness stated: “The victim was attempting to just walk away from the suspect. The suspect caught up to the victim and threw him over a car, then body slammed the victim on the ground and then proceeded to beat him repeatedly.”
John Phillips, a lawyer at Phillips Hunt and Walker, is no stranger to downtown Jacksonville.
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“I’ve been in downtown originally since 2001,” Phillips said. “And all but five or six years ago, I’ve been on Laura Street. Working as a lawyer, I bring my kids down here, have lunch on the weekends and it is sad that things have changed pretty quickly.”
Phillips described to Action News Jax what he has seen on Laura Street, where his office is located.