Attempted Murder Charge Filed Against Fredrick Edwards in Shooting of Joshua Coley-Smith at Circle K in Jacksonville

A man has been charged with attempted murder after shooting a coworker at a Circle K in Jacksonville, Florida. The incident occurred early Monday morning following a work dispute. Fredrick Edwards, who worked as a contractor for JEA, was arrested and charged with the crime, according to a report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Joshua Coley-Smith. A witness told police that he and Coley-Smith would often meet at Circle K for coffee. On the day of the incident, Coley-Smith called the witness at 5 a.m. to complain about Edwards. Apparently, Edwards was angered by the early morning call and abruptly hung up. The witness and Coley-Smith then made plans to meet face-to-face.

Later, Edwards contacted the witness and threatened to confront Coley-Smith, saying he would “pull up on” him. The report states that an altercation took place near one of the gas pumps between Coley-Smith and Edwards. The witness attempted to intervene, but the situation escalated. Edwards ultimately shot Coley-Smith in the sternum.

Following the incident, Edwards remained at the scene until law enforcement arrived. The police officers noticed that Coley-Smith had suffered a gunshot wound to the sternum and immediately took him to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Edwards was taken into custody.

The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. It is unclear what specifically led to the work dispute between Edwards and Coley-Smith. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues to gather evidence and interview witnesses in order to determine the events leading up to the altercation.

As the investigation unfolds, the community is left shocked by the violence that occurred at the Circle K. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully and avoiding violence in the workplace.