JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother of a 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office late Tuesday night told News4JAX her daughter was a domestic violence victim and she believes police should have been helping her.
Crissy Duncan said she got a call from someone with the State Attorney’s Office just before 4 a.m. Wednesday. They asked if she knows an Asia Bennett.
Recommended Videos
“I said, ‘I’m her mother. What did she do?’ She goes, ‘No, she had a domestic dispute.’ I said, ‘Is she ok?’ They’re like, ‘No, she’s not OK. Miss Duncan, your... your daughter’s dead. Asia Bennett’s dead. She died.’”
Duncan said she is outraged by the shooting, saying her daughter was not violent or dangerous and only weighed 110 pounds.
“I would have never thought JSO would have killed my kid. She is so tiny… she’s the sweetest. You would never hear nothing from Asia,“ said Duncan. ”They killed my kid. In vain."
According to JSO, officers were called to a home on Westdale Drive near Pine Bluff Drive on Tuesday around 10:45 p.m. for a report of a battery with injuries.
Investigators said a man approached an officer as she arrived and told her he had argued with his girlfriend (Bennett), who was still inside the home and armed with a knife.
As the officer turned toward the home, JSO said, Bennett came outside carrying multiple items.
JSO said the officer told her to drop everything in her hands. The woman put some items down, but still held a large kitchen knife, according to the JSO.
JSO said the officer gave loud, verbal commands for Bennett to drop the knife, but she moved toward the officer. The officer then fired one shot, JSO said.
Bennett fell to the ground but did not drop the knife, and then tried to get up and again moved toward the officer, prompting a second shot, according to JSO.
A backup officer arrived and also gave loud, verbal commands to drop the knife.
Investigators said Bennett eventually dropped the knife, and she was taken into custody. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue treated her at the scene before she was taken to a hospital, where she died.
JSO said five other people were inside the home at the time. The boyfriend was treated for minor injuries.
This is the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s 13th officer-involved shooting of the year, JSO said.
The State Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent investigation, and JSO said it will conduct its own use-of-force investigation after that is complete.
Domestic violence resources
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through Hubbard House’s Hotline at 904-354-3114 and Text line at 904-210-3698.
If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here’s a list of other resources available:
- The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
- The Micah’s Place (Nassau County) Domestic Violence Help Hotline is 904-225-9979.
- The Quigley House (Clay County) hotline is 904-284-0061.
- The Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns County) can be reached at 904-824-1555.