Lake City police shoot, kill man

Police: Man drove through DUI checkpoint

LAKE CITY, Fla. – A Lake City police officer shot and killed a man who drove through a DUI safety checkpoint and pulled a gun, according to authorities.

It happened around 11:49 p.m. Friday in the 1400 block of U.S. 90W in Columbia County, according to Lake City Police Officer Craig Strickland.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Lake City Professional Plaza, directly across from the Florida Highway Patrol station.

"While officers were making contact with the driver of a black 2012 Dodge pick-up truck, the driver drew a handgun and pointed it out of the vehicle window at him," Strickland said. "The officer was able to grab hold of the firearm and struggle with the driver as he used his weapon hand to draw his duty firearm. The officer fired and shot the armed suspect."

The driver, who died at the scene, was identified as 60-year-old Jimmy Barker, from Louisville, Tennessee. Police said his brother was in the car with him, but he wasn't hurt and is cooperating with investigators.

The State Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to the scene to help with the investigation.

Lake City Police Department photo of Officer Michael Lee.

"Counselors have been contacted to provide support to the involved officers," said Strickland. "The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave as a standard procedure, pending the ongoing investigation into the shooting."

Police identified the officer involved as Michael Lee (pictured right). Officer Lee works as a Crime Prevention Officer and is the agency coordinator for the Police Explorers program. He has worked with Lake City police since June 2010, according to Strickland.

Lake City police officers notified the public and Channel 4 about the DUI safety checkpoint in advance. They regularly schedule them in an effort to cut down on impaired driving.