JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An off-duty officer shot a 19-year-old Saturday night after the masked teen fired shots while robbing a Northside restaurant where he once worked, according to police.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief Rick Graham said Corea Johnson Jr. was shot during a gun battle about 10 p.m. as he left the Chicken Koop at 1338 Dunn Ave.
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According to police, Johnson wore a mask and fired a handgun several times as he robbed the restaurant. As he left, he was met by JSO homicide Detective Travis Oliver, who was in uniform working an off-duty job nearby.
"Detective Oliver, in an effort to defend himself, fired his weapon several times at Johnson," Graham said.
According to the police report, after the shooting, Johnson ran back into the restaurant and out a side door and fled. A 911 call came in to police a short time later on a person shot located in the 1200 block of DePaul Drive, a few blocks from the restaurant. Police found Johnson with several gunshot wounds at the home, which belonged to his parents.
Johnson was transported to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center, where he is in critical condition. Oliver was not injured.
Police said a trail of Johnson's clothing and other items were found along the way between the restaurant and the house on DePaul Drive. Police found a black mask, money, gloves, a hooded sweatshirt, and a 9mm pistol. Police said 9mm shell casings were left at the scene of the shooting.
Police said Johnson will be charged with armed robbery and attempted murder of a police officer.
According to police reports, Johnson was recently fired from the Chicken Koop and told a family member he was going to get his money.
This was the 17th police-involved shooting of 2008 involving JSO officers -- equaling the number from all of last year.
"I think officer-involved incidents and people shooting at officers are up all over the country, not just here in Jacksonville," Graham said Sunday while releasing details of the shooting. "I wish I had an absolute answer to that; I don't."
Graham said he doesn't know what's behind the alarming trend, but he does know how it's affecting the police officers.
"They come to work every day wanting to go home at night," Graham said. "It's on their mind. It's on all of their minds. I've been doing this job for 32 years, and it's on my mind."