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An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is on administrative leave and a man is dead after the officer shot the man on the Westside.
JSO said the incident happened Wednesday night after the officer was responding to a dispute that involved a shooting at the Grand Court Apartments at 7610 Blanding Blvd.
WOKV was told Officer James Busque saw the description of the shooting suspect while driving to the apartment complex.
Police said 28-year-old Thomas Dewitt Johnson refused to pull over after Busque attempted a traffic stop. After a short chase, Busque caused Johnson's car to spin out.
Johnson got out of his car and pointed a gun at the officer, which prompted Busque to shoot the suspect four times, according to police.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. near Blanding Boulevard and 103rd Street.
At least two people witnessed the shooting from separate positions.
Chief Adam Brown told WOVK Thursday during a briefing that Johnson had a long criminal history and violently resisted arrest in the past.
Police reports show Johnson had been arrested for driving without a license, drug possession, grand theft auto, burglary and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon among other charges.
Chief Brown said Johnson shot 39-year-old Mario Perez several times after a verbal fight. Johnson and two other women were at the Grand Court Apartments when Perez arrived to fix a car, according to police.
WOKV is told Johnson was not provoked. Perez was taken to UF Health.
Busque is on administrative leave per JSO’s standard policy. He has been on the force since 2009.
“I think he handled himself properly, handled himself courageously,” Brown said, referring to Busque. “He had to take quick action.”
This is 8th police involved shooting in Jacksonville. Two out of the 8 shootings resulted in death.
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