Authorities: Young man dead following exchange of gunfire with Baker County deputies

BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – The Baker County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating after a young man died following an exchange of gunfire with deputies Thursday night.

According to Undersheriff Randy Crews, with the Sheriff’s Office, deputies in the Baxter area of Baker County encountered someone, and there was an exchange of gunfire. It happened around 5:30 p.m. near County Road 127 and Florida State Road 2, at the John M. Bethea State Forest.

Crews said it’s unclear how the man died. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will lead the investigation.

Investigators were spotted searching an area near railroad tracks and a service road.

According to Crews, three deputies have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. No deputies were injured.