Burglary at Southside mobile home park leads to officer-involved shooting

JACKSONVILLE, FL. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says two people are in custody following an officer-involved shooting at a mobile home community on Jacksonville’s Southside.

Authorities were called to the Countryside Village off of Beach Boulevard, west of the Beltway, around 5:10 a.m. Wednesday after a witness saw a subject armed with a hammer enter a window of one of the trailer homes.

Chief T.K. Waters says authorities surrounded the home and took one person into custody, but another man ran off, so an officer chased after him with her gun drawn.

She ordered him to stop and told him to put his hands up, which he did not. Waters says at one point she yelled “he’s got my gun,” and a gunshot rang out a couple seconds later. They believe the suspect was the one who pulled the trigger, but they’re still early in the investigation.

The suspect was located in the woods near the trailer park. No officers were injured and all suspects were taken into custody with minor injuries. Waters says the suspect was not shot.

It’s unclear what charges the suspects may face. The case is still under investigation.

This is a developing story. We’ll have more updates as they come.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting in the Windy Hill area.

Authorities released a “Be On The Lookout” alert around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday following the incident on Beach Boulevard, near Country Side, west of St. Johns Bluff Road.

Around 8:15 a.m., JSO gave an update saying that the suspect, only described as a Hispanic man wearing a maroon t-shirt and dark jeans, has been taken into custody.

No other details on his description has been released at this time and details surrounding the shooting are still unclear.

As a result, Windy Hill Elementary School, which is less than 2 miles away from the incident, was placed on a brief lockdown as police continued their investigation.

The principal released this first statement:

“Hello Windy Hill Families, this is Principal Harris. Because a police situation in the area of our school, our school is currently on lockdown. If your students normally walk to school, please hold them at home at this time. If you are car riders, also please do not come to the school at this time. If your student rides a bus, buses will be rerouted to Englewood High School and students will be kept safely there until it is safe to arrive at school. Again, walkers and car riders, please stay home until further notice. If you are on a bus, it is ok, your student will be rerouted to Englewood and safely held until our lockdown is lifted. We will contact you when it is safe to come to school. Please stand by for further updates.”

Once the suspect was captured, the lockdown was lifted and an update to school families was given:

“Good morning again Windy Hill families. We are calling with good news. The JSO situation has been resolved, and the lockdown at our school has been lifted. The school is open to receive your students for our school day. Walkers and car riders can come to school now, and our buses will be arriving shortly. Thank you all for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to a great day of learning even though we are a little delayed in our start. Again, the school is open and ready to receive your students. Thanks again and have a great day.”

Our reporter at the scene is seeing police activity around the school with drones and a helicopter searching the area. We’re working to learn more on the investigation.

©2021 Cox Media Group