21-year-old killed in Mayfair neighborhood

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Escambia County Deputies said they are searching for a killer in the Mayfair neighborhood. The victim called deputies to report he had been shot around 9:14 p.m. Wednesday

Investigators said gunfire erupted outside of a home on Webster Drive, hitting the victim who was standing in the yard.

When deputies arrived, they said they found the man unresponsive and took him to a local hospital, where he died.

Janice Qualls is involved in the Mayfair Neighborhood Watch. She said she's seen the area dealing with its share of gun crimes.

"It's tragic. This used to be a safe neighborhood. It used to be a neighborhood you'd be proud to live in, and now it's scary," said Qualls.

Qualls said since her family has lived there nearly their entire lives, she can't help but call the community home.

But she said this isn't the first time they've dealt with shootings in this area.

"You don't know how fast they're flying by when they do these drive-by shootings. They could hit my house or another person's house. It could go through the window and hit an innocent person," Qualls said.

Qualls said she moved back to the area years ago to take care of her 92-year-old father.

"I think about his safety and what it would be for him if I wasn't here watching his back. There are a lot of elderly people here so it's very dangerous and very scary," said Qualls.

Qualls said she tries to help out authorities all she can and hopes more people in the community will get involved.

"The community is nothing like it was when I was in high school. It makes you wanna get it back. I'm never going to give up on this," said Qualls.

Deputies said there have been around 20 more gun related crimes in Escambia County, Florida, in the first six months than in 2011.

If you have any information on this crime, contact the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at (850) 436-9630 or the Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.