JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A masked teenager with a gun was shot and police are looking for one or two others that were believed to be burglarizing an assistant police chief's home Saturday night when that officer and his wife came home.
Chief Carson Tranquille was pulling into the garage of his Oceanway home about 11:40 p.m. when two masked intruders approached them and pointed guns in their faces.
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"Chief Tranquille, obviously seeing and sensing the immediate danger that he and his wife were in, took immediate action to protect his wife and himself from a potential deadly situation," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Rick Graham said Sunday. "Chief Tranquil fired his service weapon at the suspects, who turned and ran in different directions."
Graham said 16-year-old Daniel Sanchez was shot in the leg. He was transported to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center. Officials said his injury was not believed to be life-threatening.
Sanchez will be charged with two counts of armed robbery. Police continue to search for one or two accomplices who ran from the scene.
Tranquille, who is in charge of the homeland security division for JSO is a 20-year veteran.
Graham said Tranquille had noticed a strange car in his neighborhood and was on alert.
"Just him being aware and having that conscious thought in his mind probably had a lot to do with the quick action he was able to take the quick action that he was able to do and defend himself," Graham said.
He said Tranquille used his police training to do what he had to when faced with danger.
"Our officers come from, you know, they're your neighbors and my neighbors and they're citizens of this community just like we all are," Graham said. "Just because we happen to be police officers doesn't mean we have immunity to become victims just like everybody else."
Anyone who has any information about the one or two other gunmen who ran from the scene are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a $1,000 reward.