Jacksonville man pulls trigger on what he thought was an unloaded gun. He accidentally killed his friend: NCSO
A 26-year-old Jacksonville man is facing manslaughter charges after what deputies call a deadly accidental shooting that happened in Nassau County on Saturday night, according to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office.
Deputy arrested after 6-hour standoff in Wildlight community โno longer employedโ by Nassau County Sheriffโs Office
A Nassau County deputy who was barricaded in a home in the Wildlight community for six hours earlier this month is โno longer employedโ by the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office, a spokesperson told News4JAX.
Fernandina Beach man dies after being hit by Nassau County Sheriffโs Office deputy responding to call
A 31-year-old Fernandina Beach man was killed Sunday afternoon in a crash involving a Nassau County Sheriffโs Office deputy responding to a call in Yulee, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
How law enforcement agencies are recruiting future officers in a difficult climate
Small towns and big cities alike are struggling to recruit and retain law enforcement officers amid national controversy over the police profession. Many veteran officers are retiring, leaving agencies in a bidding war for qualified candidates โ as they try to hire the next generation to protect and serve.
Nassau County Sheriffโs Office releases bodycam footage from deadly shooting of woman holding โBB-style rifleโ
The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office on Thursday released body camera footage from early Jan. 11 when, according to the sheriff, a deputy shot and killed a woman who was โholding a BB-style rifle.โ
State declines formal charges against former Fernandina Beach detective who was accused of sexual battery
The State Attorneyโs Office has declined to file formal charges against a former Fernandina Beach Police Department (FBPD) detective, who in June was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman, according to court documents obtained Thursday by News4JAX.
Bodycam footage released of arrests made in Nassau County โOperation Keystrokeโ
The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office on Friday released deputy-worn body camera footage that was taken as authorities made arrests in a four-day operation referred to as โOperation Keystroke,โ which targeted people suspected of using the internet to solicit sex from minors.
Nassau County sheriff: 54 arrests made, hundreds of pounds of drugs seized in โOperation: Heavyweightsโ
A monthslong, multi-agency investigation named โOperation: Heavyweightsโ has resulted in 54 arrests and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper announced Tuesday.
Help is on the way: Northeast Florida officials role out Monday to extend a helping hand down south
Law enforcement officials from all across Northeast Florida have packed up their things, gathered their crews and headed down south early Monday morning to help out fellow sheriffโs offices impacted by Hurricane Ianโs devastating aftermath.
Yulee Middle School student who threatened to โshoot up the schoolโ charged with stalking, cyberstalking: deputies
A 12-year-old boy was arrested on charges of cyberstalking Friday after he made repeated comments threatening violence at his school, according to a report from the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office.
Pickpocket trio appears to be targeting women in grocery stores, Nassau County authorities say
The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office says itโs investigating at least five cases of pickpocketing in its jurisdiction that are believed to be part of a theft ring โ and other cases have been reported in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville.
Gov. DeSantis proposes $5K signing bonus to attract cops to Florida, including unvaccinated ones
Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Sunday he is hoping the Florida Legislature will pass legislation granting a $5,000 bonus to police officers who may be unvaccinated and want to relocate to the Sunshine State.
Schools, trains, traffic: Community impacts of manhunt for suspect accused of shooting deputy
Road closures affected school bus pickups and drop-offs and trains were shut down, blocking some people in their homes Friday morning, as investigators searched for a suspect accused of shooting a Nassau County deputy.
Family rescued after boat strikes object near St. Marys jetties
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. โ Six people, including four children, had to be rescued after their boat struck an object Friday near the St. Marys jetties, according to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office. According to a spokesperson for the Sheriffโs Office, one of the children on board called 911. That child was able to inform a dispatch operator that their boat was taking on water before the call dropped. AdThe 17-foot vessel was dewatered and brought to the nearest boat ramp. The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office transferred the family from the Coast Guard cutter onto its boat and escorted them to a boat ramp in St. Marys.
2 stopped in Jacksonville murder victimโs stolen car charged with theft, burglary
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two suspects taken into custody in Nassau County on Tuesday night were in a stolen car belonging to one of two people found dead Monday in a home on Jacks Road in Northwest Jacksonville, according to News4Jax sources. According to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office, deputies assisted Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office investigators with a stop at the Circle K on U.S. 1 near Ratliff Road at about 10:30 p.m.Nassau deputies said there were three young people -- two males and one female -- inside the vehicle when it was stopped. JSO jail records show only two of the trio were charged with vehicle theft and burglary. Sources told News4Jax that the two -- whose names and ages have not been released -- are not suspected of the killings. AdNeighbors in that Biltmore neighborhood said Purvisโ car was taken from their house the morning after they were killed and that one of the people later detained in the stolen car was one of Deanโs grandchildren.
Get a call from a Nassau County deputy? Make sure itโs legitimate
The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office is warning residents about a recent police impersonation scam. In a Facebook post Thursday, the Sheriffโs Office said a resident recently got a phone call from someone who identified themselves as Deputy Charles Lee. The victim fell for the scam and lost thousands of dollars they loaded onto prepaid gift cards, according to the Sheriffโs Office. They also will not ask that people send prepaid gift cards, money orders or credit card payments over the phone. If you believe youโve received a scam call, contact the Sheriffโs Officeโs non-emergency line by calling 904-225-5174.
Nassau County loses deputy to COVID-19
Deputy Jack Gwynes, who co-workers lovingly called โGrumpy,โ has died of complications of COVID-19, according to a spokeswoman for the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office. โPlease keep the family and friends of Deputy Jack Gwynes in your thoughts,โ the Sheriffโs Office posted on its Facebook page. According to the Sheriffโs Office, Gwynes was hired by the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office and served in one capacity or other in law enforcement before becoming a Nassau County deputy in April 2019. โRest in peace, Deputy Gwynes,โ the Florida Sheriffโs Association wrote on Facebook. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gwynes family and Nassau County Sheriffโs Office.โIn lieu of flowers, Gwynesโ family encourages donations to liveforbrie.com or nationalpolicewives.org.
Head-on crash snarls US 17 on Tuesday morning
Two drivers were injured -- one serionsly -- in this crash on U.S. 17. YULEE, Fla. โ The drivers of a pickup truck and a car injured in a head-on crash on U.S. 17 just north of Duval-Nassau county about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office, the driver of the pickup truck lost control and struck a car coming the other direction. The elderly driver of the pickup had only minor injuries. Northbound traffic on U.S. 17 was backed up to Pecan Park Road in Duval County.
Nassau County woman arrested after attempting to steal school bus
YULEE, Fla. โ A woman in Nassau County was arrested Friday night, accused of attempting to steal a school bus from the Nassau County School Board. Melissa Gail Lacey, 48, was found lying down on the floor of the bus which was parked in front of a house around 2:30 a.m., according to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office. Homeowners found Laceyโs car in their driveway and, after discovering she was in the bus, told authorities she did not have permission to be in there. NCSO said the key was in the bus ignition and the airlock doors were pulled open. She was transported to the Nassau County Detention Facility.
15-year-old driver crashes SUV into pool, Nassau County deputies say
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. โ A 15-year-old was taken into custody Sunday after crashing an SUV into a swimming pool at a home on Eastwind Drive, according to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office. The Sheriffโs Office said the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday. The 15-year-old driver, who does not have a license, tried to get away on foot, but a deputy and K-9 caught up with him and arrested him, the Sheriffโs Office said. Deputies said the SUV had two teenage passengers inside. No one was injured in the crash, deputies said, but two homeowners had damage from the crash.
Man with knife shot, killed by deputy, Nassau County says
CALLAHAN, Fla. โ The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office said a deputy responding to a domestic call in Callahan on Friday shot and killed a man who had threatened his brother with a knife. Family identified the man who was killed as Justin Dawley. Deputies said they had negotiated with the man for about 15 minutes when he lunged at them with the knife. The man shot wasnโt identified by authorities, but Undersheriff Roy Henderson said he was in his 30s or 40s and the Sheriffโs Office had responded to domestic violence calls at that home before and the man who was killed had made suicidal statements in the past. Thatโs different from what the sheriffโs office said on Friday.
Nassau County deputies warn real estate agents to be careful when showing houses
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. โ The Nassau County Sheriffโs Office is warning real estate agents to be careful when meeting for appointments to show houses. The warning comes after several real estate agents in Nassau County reported that a man called them and asked to see properties as soon as possible, according to the Sheriffโs Office. โThe manโs manner was very urgent," the Sheriffโs Office said in a Facebook post Thursday. Deputies now are asking real estate agents to report any suspicious activity by calling the Sheriffโs Office at 904-225-5174. โSometimes with real estate, we get a lot of crazy calls," said Burch, who ranks ninth on a list of Floridaโs top 100 real estate agents on social media.
Authorities: Armed woman who made threats shot, killed by Nassau deputy
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. โ A SWAT team member shot and killed a woman Tuesday night who brandished a firearm and threatened to โblow everyone away,โ according to a spokesperson for the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office. According to the Sheriffโs Office, after returning to her house, the 48-year-old got into an argument with her father. That deputy shot one time, Leeper said, killing her. There is no body camera footage of the shooting because the Nassau County deputies donโt have them. The Sheriffโs Office said the deputy who shot the woman has been with the department for about three years, and this was his first deputy-involved shooting.
74-year-old pilot killed in plane crash north of Hilliard
HILLIARD, Fla. โ A pilot died when a single-engine, homebuilt plane crashed Monday afternoon in a wooded area near the Florida-Georgia border, authorities said. The FAA said the pilot was the only person aboard the plane, which was registered out of Palm Coast. While itโs too early to say wind played a factor in the crash, Booth said it canโt be ruled out. Booth said if the plane caught on fire after the crash, thatโs a sign the plane was not out of fuel. NTSB is investigating the September 21, 2020 crash in Hilliard, FL, involving an RV-8 aircraft.
Deputies: Boy, 12, brings 3 guns to Nassau County school
CALLAHAN, Fla. โ A 12-year-old Nassau County boy was arrested Thursday after deputies say he brought three guns and ammo to a private Christian school in Callahan. "She discovered the butt of a gun and turned it over to the principal,โ who told deputies he found a revolver, a second handgun and two boxes of .380 caliber ammunition inside. The teacher said Stanford told her he had brought the guns to school to show the principal. Inside his desk was a drawing of a man outside of a school with guns. The childโs mother, Sasha Lewis, told deputies the family has guns at home, but she thought the gun safe was locked.
Man & woman arrested in Nassau County shootout
YULEE, Fla. โ Nassau County deputies arrested a man and woman Monday in connection with a recent shooting that unfolded outside a Yulee tattoo parlor. John Michael Kite, 37, and Ashley Blair Morgan, 36, were arrested after they came forward Monday, the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office said. Deputies answering that call found a man with gunshot wounds to his stomach and left wrist lying on the sidewalk near the business. They said the victim and a man from the car got into a shootout, and one of the minors was struck during the exchange. The suspected shooter was dropped off in Fernandina and the wounded minor was taken to a Jacksonville hospital, witnesses said.
3-year-old drowns in pool in Yulee
YULEE, Fla. โ Nassau County Sheriffโs Office said deputies called to a home in Yulee on Thursday morning found a monther giving a 3-year-old girl CPR. Deputies, then Nassau County Fire-Rescue took over while the child was taken to UF Health North, but she could not be revived. According to the report, the mother found the girl floating in the pool of their home on Plummerโs Creek Drive before 9 a.m., brought her inside and began CPR. The childโs name was not given. The case was turned over to two Nassau County detectives, but no foul play was suspected.
Beaches in Nassau County to close, some Northeast Florida beaches still open
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ While Duval County beaches have closed to the COVID-19 pandemic, some beaches in surrounding counties, including Nassau and St. Johns, were still open Saturday afternoon. Although vehicles are not currently permitted on St. Johns County beaches, all 42 miles of its beaches are were open to pedestrians Saturday afternoon. Hours later, the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office announced its beaches would be closing at 6 a.m. Sunday. Earlier in the day, many people flocked to beaches in Nassau County. โIโm just amazed at the people here,โ said Jeanne Prudot Mercer, a Nassau County resident.