Before the shooting, the man texted his girlfriend, “I’m going to die today,” according to the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man was fatally shot by a Jacksonville sheriff’s officer on Sunday at a mobile home park on the city’s Westside after he attacked the officer’s vehicle and charged towards them, as reported by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
JSO Chief Alan Parker stated that the individual, identified as 39-year-old Michael Lee Wright, resided at the mobile home park with his girlfriend, whose identity was not disclosed by the sheriff’s office.
However, Parker said Wright’s girlfriend decided not to stay with Wright Saturday night, but came back to their home Sunday morning.
“She came to perhaps collect some things and check on matters,” Parker said. “And as she arrived, our suspect (Wright) emerged, assaulted her, and started throwing items at her vehicle, prompting her to drive away.”
Wright’s girlfriend then went to a gas station in the nearby area, called JSO, and asked them to escort her back to her and Wright’s home, Parker said.
Officer Patrick Burke, who’s been with JSO for five years, according to Parker, then met up with Wright’s girlfriend at the gas station.
Watch the full JSO press conference below:
Afterward, Parker said Burke and Wright’s girlfriend went to the mobile home park, which is called Normandy Estates Mobile Home Park and located at 8985 Normandy Blvd., so that Wright’s girlfriend could “get some things.”
“As they arrive on scene and they’re pulling up, the suspect (Wright) comes out and literally begins to attack the officer’s vehicle,” Parker said. “He’s banging on it, may or may not have thrown something at it, that’s all part of what they’re looking at. He got up on the hood at one point, banging on the hood.”
Parker said Burke then reversed his vehicle, as Wright “continued his aggressive act” by hitting the vehicle on the driver’s side and continuing to follow it.
Burke then put his vehicle in drive after Wright got in front of it, pulled forward and pushed Wright into a yard with his vehicle, according to Parker.
Afterward, Parker said Burke got out of the vehicle with his gun drawn, as Wright then “charged” at him with “some stuff in his hands.”
Parker said Wright told Burke, “Go ahead and kill me” repeatedly, and said Burke told Wright to drop what Wright had in his hands. Parker did not mention what Wright had in his hands.
When Wright charged at Burke, according to Parker, Burke fired several shots, striking Wright.
Afterward, Burke gave Wright medical treatment after he was able to “safely secure” him, Parker said.
Then, Parker said Wright was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Parker said Wright has an “extensive drug history,” was Baker Acted about three years ago, and “had an overdose” within the past week. Parker also said Wright texted his girlfriend at an unknown time Sunday, saying “I’m going to die today.”
This shooting is JSO’s eighth officer-involved shooting in 2025.
The State Attorney’s Office is investigating the shooting.
On Your Side
If you or someone you know needs help in a domestic violence situation, Hubbard House has a 24-hour hotline and text line. The hotline number is 904-354-3114 and the text line number is 904-210-3698.
If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis and needs help right away: Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts can reach the suicide prevention lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
Children and teens can call the Wolfson Children’s Hospital free mental health hotline at any time at 904-202-7900, or text the word “Life” to 741-741 and a counselor will text you back.
