The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said a 37-year-old man was shot and killed by officers after an hour-and-a-half-long standoff.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nine officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a man who reached into a rifle case while barricaded in a car Monday evening, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and First Coast News.
It began around 6 p.m. at the Dutton Island Preserve Boat Ramp, where a couple was fishing.
During a news conference with Sheriff T.K. Waters, Chief Alan Parker recounted that a couple heard gunfire and observed a 37-year-old man shooting a rifle into the water.
The man from the couple reportedly walked over to the suspect firing the gun to ask if he was okay.
Parker reported that the suspect subsequently aimed the gun at the man and remarked something like, “I know you already called the police. The only way they’re getting me out of here is dead.”
The man engaged in conversation with the suspect, trying to defuse the situation. Parker noted that during this exchange, the suspect requested water from the couple.
Although the couple didn’t have water, they attempted to offer the suspect a bottle of Gatorade. Parker explained that at that moment, the suspect aimed the rifle at the man’s head, leading to a physical struggle over the weapon.
“The victim in this situation ends up on top of the suspect, holding the gun, and inadvertently discharged the magazine,” Parker said. “He just emptied the rounds… then discarded the rifle.”
The suspect left, and the couple got in their car, before the suspect began “barreling at them head-on” in his vehicle, according to the chief.
Parker said the suspect side-swiped the couple’s car, hit another car on Mayport Road and then crashed into some bushes and a pole.
Officers responded to the suspect’s vehicle around 6:05 p.m. and tried to get him to safely exit the vehicle until about 7:30 p.m.
Parker said the man repeatedly refused officers’ commands to get out before he picked up his rifle case and reached into it.
Nine officers at the scene responded by shooting at the suspect, according to Parker. He died from his injuries.
Waters said the couple was “shaken up,” but not hurt.
Parker said the suspect’s criminal history is limited to traffic infractions and criminal mischief.
According to the chief, this is the 14th officer-involved shooting of the year for the sheriff’s office.
