Erik Avanier

Jacksonville

Broadcast and Multimedia Journalist at WJXT-TV (Jacksonville, FL)

Broadcast and Multimedia Journalist at WCWJ-TV (Jacksonville, FL)

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Articles

License plate scanner helps Jacksonville police nab a man accused of lewd exhibition while following a minor

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

Published: May 5, 2025 at 9:32 PMTags: Jacksonville, Duval CountyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A license plate scanner and quick thinking by a Jacksonville teen and her mom helped police track down a man accused of a disturbing crime. Ahmadullah Mangal, 24, was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition towards a minor.
Department of Health confirms coyote responsible for Atlantic Beach attacks had rabies

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health confirmed to News4JAX on Friday that the coyote linked to a series of recent Atlantic Beach attacks was rabid. The coyote believed to be behind multiple attacks on residents and pets was found dead in a junkyard on Thursday, but the threat of contracting rabies remained a possibility. Karen Cagdill’s husband was bitten on the leg by the coyote. Ashton Kennedy was also bitten.
Coyote attacks spark rabies concerns in Atlantic Beach

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The recent series of coyote attacks in Atlantic Beach put a spotlight on the potential for rabies and other diseases that can come from an animal bite. The coyote believed to be behind the attacks on residents and pets was found dead in a junkyard on Thursday, but the threat of contracting rabies remained a possibility. Karen Cagdill’s husband was bitten on the leg by the coyote. Ashton Kennedy was also bitten.
Ring camera captures officer firing at coyote in Florida. Here's what you need to know after multiple attacks

1 week ago | clickorlando.com | Briana Brownlee |Scott Johnson |Erik Avanier

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. - Following reports of multiple coyote attacks on residents and pets, the City of Atlantic Beach is urging everyone to be cautious in the area of Begonia, Jasmine and 6th streets, according to News 6 partner News4JAX. (STORY CONTINUES BELOW) So far, there have been four attacks in the area, including one witnessed Wednesday night by a News4JAX crew.
Coyote behind attacks in Atlantic Beach found dead in junkyard Thursday morning after officer shot it Wednesday night

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Briana Brownlee |Scott Johnson |Erik Avanier

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – A coyote believed to be behind several recent attacks on residents and pets in Atlantic Beach has been found dead in a junkyard, police said Thursday. An officer fired a shot at the coyote Wednesday night near Jasmine and 6th streets. It was unclear at the time if the animal had been hit because it ran off. “The officer did feel like he had a safe lane to shoot, so he fired one round at the coyote,” Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said.
Atlantic Beach on high alert after multiple coyote attacks reported. Here’s what you need to know

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Briana Brownlee |Scott Johnson |Erik Avanier

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – Following reports of multiple coyote attacks on residents and pets, the City of Atlantic Beach is urging everyone to be cautious in the area of Begonia, Jasmine and 6th streets. So far, there have been four attacks in the area, including one witnessed Wednesday night by a News4JAX crew. Most of the attacks have been reported in the area of Begonia Street, which is surrounded by trees and is not too far from Dutton Island Preserve.
‘Kind of crazy’: Man walking dog at night bit in second Atlantic Beach coyote attack

2 weeks ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

Published: April 30, 2025 at 10:07 PMATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – On Wednesday night, another coyote attack took place on Atlantic Beach. A dog owner and his German Shepherd were bitten in the attack that came on the same day another Atlantic Beach resident said he was recovering from a different attack. Ashton Kennedy told News4JAX he was walking his dog when the coyote jumped out of a wooded area. He said when the coyote first jumped out, he thought it was a fox. “Kind of crazy,” Kennedy said.
Jacksonville animal services advocate options for struggling pet owners to prevent animal abandonment

2 weeks ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

Published: April 29, 2025 at 9:31 PMTags: Animal Care and Protective Services, Animal Control, Humane SocietyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents in one Jacksonville community are fed up with people who purposely dump and abandon pets in their neighborhood. Late Tuesday morning, animal control was made aware of a dog that was believed to have been dropped off and left abandoned on Drew Street in the South Riverside neighborhood near San Marco.
Immigration attorney says her clients are fearful after recent string of arrests across Florida

2 weeks ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

Published: April 28, 2025 at 9:33 PMTags: Immigration, Florida, ICE, Operation Tidal WaveJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A recent wave of hundreds of illegal immigrant arrests in Florida has one immigration attorney’s clients on edge as they legally navigate the citizenship process. The nearly 800 arrests happened under the “Operation Tidal Wave” crackdown, which was initiated across Florida in major counties and cities across the state, including Jacksonville, according to reports.
National Drug Take Back Day gives you a chance to dispose of unused meds

2 weeks ago | news4jax.com | Erik Avanier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day. It’s a day when multiple law enforcement agencies and organizations nationwide partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration to provide ways for people to properly discard their older medications.

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Erik Avanier @WJXTErik

2 Jun 20

Protest in St. Augustine https://t.co/CdavrkJ8Ko

Erik Avanier @WJXTErik

2 Jun 20

Protest in St. Augustine https://t.co/lXidWbk3Fa

Erik Avanier @WJXTErik

9 Feb 19

Wow. https://t.co/iIcJvvTPMH

Brittany Muller @WJXTBrittanyM

Powerful words from a community member outraged with crime walk on eastside “now you wanna come out here and make a showing.” Sheriff Mike Williams listened to this man then said call us if you need us. @wjxt4 https://t.co/aqk3TIOKCX

Erik Avanier

Articles

License plate scanner helps Jacksonville police nab a man accused of lewd exhibition while following a minor

Department of Health confirms coyote responsible for Atlantic Beach attacks had rabies

Coyote attacks spark rabies concerns in Atlantic Beach

Ring camera captures officer firing at coyote in Florida. Here's what you need to know after multiple attacks

Coyote behind attacks in Atlantic Beach found dead in junkyard Thursday morning after officer shot it Wednesday night

Atlantic Beach on high alert after multiple coyote attacks reported. Here’s what you need to know

‘Kind of crazy’: Man walking dog at night bit in second Atlantic Beach coyote attack

Jacksonville animal services advocate options for struggling pet owners to prevent animal abandonment

Immigration attorney says her clients are fearful after recent string of arrests across Florida

National Drug Take Back Day gives you a chance to dispose of unused meds

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