JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 11:00 PM UPDATE: At a press briefing, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced a man, Samuel Waters Jr., is recovering in the hospital after being shot by SWAT team members hours into a standoff.
Police say the situation began around 11:30 this morning when they were alerted by family members that Waters was inside of a car with a weapon.
When police located him, they found him sitting in a parked truck behind the Walmart on San Pablo Road and Atlantic Boulevard. They spent hours trying to connect with Waters, but he failed to comply with commands.
SWAT was called in to begin negotiations around 2:30 p.m. and spent hours negotiating after he refused to exit the vehicle. Authorities said they wanted to get him out safely.
Sheriff T.K. Waters said, “They were trying to get him to come out using gas and some other aids to get him out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, he came out with a knife in one hand and a pistol in the other. Left him no choice.”
JSO says after breaking the truck’s windows and using gas, Waters climbed through the rear window, holding a knife and gun in each hand. Officers say they commanded him to drop his weapons, but he refused. Officers then shot him several times.
Waters was then taken to a hospital to be treated. JSO says he will face charges but will also be detained under the Baker Act.
Officers say Waters has a history of aggravated assault and domestic violence. Additionally, JSO says an ex parte order was signed on Monday, which allowed Waters’ family to take action because of his mental health issues and access to guns.
9 PM UPDATE: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced there has been an officer-involved shooting in connection to the incident behind the Walmart at San Pablo Road and Atlantic Boulevard, where an armed man barricaded himself inside a vehicle for hours Wednesday.
Around 7:30 p.m., an Action News Jax crew heard what sounded like several gunshots and later saw an ambulance come to the scene.
JSO is expected to give a media briefing on the incident later tonight and Action News Jax still has a crew at the scene gathering more information.
ORIGINAL STORY: There is a heavy police presence near San Pablo Road South and Atlantic Boulevard.
A viewer sent Action News Jax a video showing the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market roped off with crime scene tape.
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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shared the following update at 3 p.m.:
“We continue working an incident involving an armed barricaded man behind the Walmart at San Pablo Road and Atlantic Boulevard. There is no danger or threat to the public; however, the large police presence is impacting traffic. At this time, only police and emergency vehicles are allowed near the intersection. Please take an alternate route and be patient with other drivers on the road.
“The active scene is near Alimacani Elementary School. To reiterate, no students or staff members are in danger. The school has already shared details with families on how to pick up their students using Beach Boulevard to access the campus.
“Some shoppers in the area are being held inside the nearby stores for their safety at this time.
“We will share more details here as the incident continues and when the intersection reopens.
“We have significant resources working this situation to bring it to a peaceful ending.
“We are working closely with DCPS Police, JFRD, and other public safety partners.”
Duval County Public Schools sent the following initial message to families about the lockout:
“Hello Alimacani Elementary School families. Students and staff are safe. The school is on a lockout as a precaution due to police activity in the area. No one is allowed to leave or enter campus. Stand by for future updates.”
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DCPS also shared a follow-up with Alimacani families about traffic, since San Pablo and Atlantic remains closed:
“Hello again, Alimacani Elementary families,
“Students and staff remain safe, and we want to provide an important traffic update. Police have confirmed that San Pablo Road at Atlantic Boulevard is currently closed due to ongoing police activity in the neighborhood. At this time, the only way to access the school and San Pablo Road is via Beach Boulevard.
“To help minimize the impact of heavy congestion, we are opening early dismissal. If you are able to pick up your child early, we ask that you do two things:
- First, if your student is in PreK or CSS, please use the front loop. All other families should use the car line.
- Second, please use PikMyKid to schedule your dismissal time.
“We will have front office and security teams outside working to facilitate the early dismissal process. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we work to keep our students and staff safe.”
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JSO is asking people to avoid the area for the time being.
Action News Jax will update this story with the latest information as soon as it becomes available.
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