In a tense encounter that unfolded in Jacksonville’s Dinsmore neighborhood, a man was shot by officers following a prolonged standoff that lasted for four hours. The altercation began late Monday night when police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Bradd Avenue, eventually leading to a confrontation that spanned into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident erupted after 31-year-old Cory Sweeney allegedly threatened his mother with a knife. The situation escalated as Sweeney refused to leave the premises, prompting a significant response from law enforcement, including a SWAT team, to manage the standoff.
According to Chief Alan Parker, the dispute between Sweeney and his mother quickly spiraled out of control. As the argument intensified, Sweeney brandished a knife, bringing it dangerously close to his mother’s face while making menacing gestures that suggested an intent to harm her. Despite these threats, no physical harm was inflicted upon her.
In a move to de-escalate the situation, Sweeney’s mother managed to call the police and safely leave the home. Once she was outside, Sweeney barricaded himself inside, refusing to cooperate with the officers’ attempts to resolve the situation peacefully.
After hours of negotiation failed to yield a resolution, the standoff reached a critical point when Sweeney threatened officers by preparing to throw an object at them. It was at this juncture that law enforcement decided to take decisive action, resulting in the shooting of Sweeney.
Parker said Sweeney’s mother then called JSO and exited the home. Thereafter, Sweeney locked her out, Parker said.
Officers then arrived on scene and were looking for Sweeney when he smashed one of the home’s windows from the inside, cutting an officer, according to Parker.
Parker said the SWAT team was then requested and arrived on scene.
According to JSO, the SWAT team tried for hours to get Sweeney to come out the home. Parker said there were a couple times where Sweeney exited with a football helmet on while waving a hammer, but returned back inside.
Parker said Sweeney was not complying with officers’ orders and threatened to shoot a shotgun. He said when Sweeney came out the home for the last time, he had an “object” in his hand and threatened to throw it at officers.
Parker said two officers then shot Sweeney, hitting him in the leg. Members of the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department then took him to a local hospital where he was said to be stable.
Parker said Sweeney now faces charges of aggravated assault, battery on a law enforcement officer, tampering with a victim, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and domestic battery. He has a “lengthy criminal history,” according to Parker, including being Baker Acted before.
This shooting marks as JSO’s 16th officer-involved shooting of the year and is the first for both officers who shot the man, according to Parker.
