Police officer shoots at armed suspect

Police say officer fired 4 times when suspect refused to drop gun

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An officer fired four shots Friday morning after being confronted by a suspect with a gun, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Around 2:50 a.m. Friday morning JSO received a call of a disturbance and a shooting at a duplex at 3934 Boulevard Street, according to Chief Tom Hackney.

The 911 caller said there was commotion outside of the duplex and that when they confronted the people outside, a shot was fired.

After investigators arrived on scene, an officer went around the back of 3928 Boulevard Street and a man exited the back door with a gun, according to Hackney.

The officer instructed the suspect to drop his gun, but the man refused, leading the officer to fire four shots at the suspect.

The suspect was not struck and fled back inside. The four bullets fired struck the complex, but no one was injured.

Once more officers arrived on scene, four occupants from the duplex were taken into custody, according to Hackney.

JSO detectives are now trying to determine which of the four suspects approached the officer with a gun.

At a news conference Friday morning, Hackney stressed the dangers officers face on the job saying, "Officers who do this work place their lives in jeopardy. It underscores the dangers of law enforcement. It's frightening. We're thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line."

Once the suspect is identified, they will be charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, Hackney said.

A news conference was scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday to release more information about the suspect.