JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man who fired at police who responded Thursday afternoon to a call at a home on the Northside was fatally shot when SWAT officers returned fire, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
According to Mark Romano, chief of investigations with the Sheriff’s Office, police were originally called to the scene on Lannie Road to a report of someone threatening to harm themselves. Romano said the man also made threats about shooting police if they came onto his property.
Patrol officers, Romano said, attempted to talk the man out of the residence, and after several minutes, police heard a gunshot from inside. He said investigators learned that the man’s girlfriend might have been inside, and the SWAT team was called in to assist. They spoke with the man for over an hour.
Eventually, Romano said, the man came outside and was on his hands and knees, and he placed a handgun in front of him on the porch.
“The suspect then picked the gun up for an unknown reason and shot at the SWAT officers, and ultimately, multiple SWAT officers shot back at this individual, killing him at the scene,” Romano said.
The chief of investigations said police determined the man’s girlfriend was not actually inside the residence and that she was located elsewhere, safe.
News4JAX asked the chief of investigations if a mental health professional was called to the scene.
“There was not,” he replied.
When asked if there should have been one at the scene, Romano said, “We don’t know enough yet. It’s too early.”
Those questions were asked because there has been a national discussion about police responding to mental health crisis calls. The debate is over whether police are trained to recognize and handle people with mental health problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone died by suicide every 11 minutes last year.
A total of six SWAT officers were said to have been involved. Each was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
JSO closed down Lannie Road between Blyler and Parete Roads for the investigation. No officers were hurt.
It’s the third shooting involving Jacksonville police in 2023.
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988. Use Lifeline Chat on the web (English only) The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.