JACKSONVILLE, FL – A man who allegedly fired a shotgun into a crowd of three people early Sunday morning was shot in the face in an act of self-defense, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. at 10000 Atlantic Blvd. Officers responded to the scene and found a man in his 40s suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the face. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

JSO investigators identified the injured man as the potential suspect in the shooting. According to the initial investigation, a dispute broke out between the suspect and a group of three people. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly discharged a shotgun at the group. In response, one of the individuals in the group fired back at the suspect, hitting him in the face.

The victims are cooperating with police, and the investigation is ongoing.

It is unclear whether the person who shot the suspect in self-defense had a concealed carry permit. However, Florida has constitutional carry, which allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit as long as they are legally allowed to own a firearm. Given the fact that the incident occurred at 3 a.m. — a time when generally, good things don’t happen — the presence of an armed individual in the group was crucial in defending themselves and others from the threat.