JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police are investigating an incident alleged to have occurred at the Bartram Springs amenity center that the victim’s family is describing as an act of video voyeurism, while police have referred to the situation as one involving a “prowler.”
According to the victim’s family, the incident occurred Tuesday morning after the victim finished working out at the amenity center and went to take a shower. While showering, she noticed someone holding a cellphone under the shower curtain, apparently recording her.
“At that time, she frantically tried to cover herself up and wanted to find out who was doing this, so she pulled the curtain as quickly as she could. At that time, the person was fleeing,” the victim’s son-in-law told News4JAX.
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The victim quickly wrapped herself in a towel and chased after the suspect into the lobby area, but could not find him, the family said, adding that she then opened a nearby storage closet and discovered the suspect hiding inside.
“She was crying and screaming at him, asking, ‘Why would you do that?’ Without hesitation, he starts saying, ‘I’m so sorry. Please don’t tell anyone.’ He was pleading and begging her not to report the situation,” the son-in-law said.
The victim’s family said the suspect ran out of the building when the victim began calling 911.
An 11-year-old boy who was outside the lobby at the time overheard the victim speaking with police.
After receiving permission from the boy’s mother to speak with him, he said, “She said the guy was wearing jeans and he was a white male with black hair, and she told them what happened, saying the guy went in there and did what he did.”
The manager of the Bartram Springs amenity center said she will not be issuing a statement on the matter, citing the ongoing police investigation.
Later that day, the victim’s family received an update from investigators, informing them that the suspect was injured as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the son-in-law said.
The suspect was taken to the hospital in critical condition. News4JAX is not naming the suspect until police confirm his identity and employment status at the amenity center.
Additionally, neighbors told News4JAX they saw uniformed police officers and detectives at the suspect’s home.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident and urges anyone with information to contact their office at 904-630-0500.