Man accused of shooting Jax Beach Police Corporal may be incompetent to stand trial

Jacksonville, FL — The man accused of an August shooting that injured a Jacksonville Beach Police Corporal will be evaluated to determine if he is competent to stand trial on the four counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer he faces.

Court filings obtained by WOKV show Jovan Sisljagic has already undergone one evaluation. The State Attorney’s Office says the defense attorney supplied a report from a February assessment of Sisljagic, which found he was not competent to proceed. In light of that, they asked the Judge to order further examination, saying there are “reasonable grounds” that the defendant may be incompetent to proceed at this time.

An order from the Judge was entered in late March, saying not only that Sisljagic will be evaluated, but that the expert will also determine if he requires involuntary hospitalization. The examination on whether he is competent to stand trial will include an assessment of whether he can consult with his lawyer to aid in his own defense, if he appreciates the charges and potential penalties, if he would show the appropriate courtroom behavior, and related areas. In determining if Sisljagic requires involuntary hospitalization, the expert will examine if care is needed to avoid harm to his well-being, if there’s a “substantial” possibility his competency can be restored, and what possible treatment and setting would be likely to achieve that.

A review hearing in this case will take place later this month.

Sisljagic was arrested last August for several shooting incidents in a brief span of time in Jacksonville Beach. He allegedly fired on a marked patrol car with an officer inside. Police say Sisljagic then fled on foot, and in the parking lot of the Waffle House, he was confronted by other officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

Corporal Bill Eierman was hit in that exchange, but survived his injuries. Sisljagic was also shot, and also survived. It's unclear at this time whether a motive to Sisljagic's alleged actions has been determined.

Sisljagic was immediately booked on two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. The State Attorney’s Office has since charged him by information on a total of four counts of that charge.