Suspect charged with two counts of attempted murder of Jacksonville Beach Police

Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Patrick Dooley calls the shooting of a veteran officer gut-wrenching and inexcusable.

“It’s as bad as it gets for me right now”, said Chief Dooley.

16-year officer William Eierman was shot in the leg and pelvic region during a shootout with an armed man outside the Waffle House on Beach Blvd. near 3rd Street last night.

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27-year-old Jovan Sisljagic was charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder after being treated for gunshot wounds.

According to Chief Dooley, the incident started just before 10pm when a K9 Officer on Shetter Avenue heard a loud noise and realized someone was shooting at him.  The officer returned fire and the suspect started to run from the scene.

The suspect was confronted by several other officers nearby and a small gun battle ensued.  Two additional police vehicles were struck by gunfire.

The suspect ran to the Waffle House parking lot where he encountered Officer Eierman and two exchanged gunfire.

Officer Eierman was taken to Memorial Hospital and is now in stable condition.   The suspect was hit three times and was treated at a hospital.

According to Chief Dooley, it’s too early to say if this was an ambush. He called it a very complex investigation. What’s clear, Dooley said, is that the suspect clearly shot at a marked police vehicle.

FDLE is the lead investigative agency since the shooting involved an officer.

Chief Dooley cited another police shooting from the late 1960’s when Officer John English walked in to a robbery of a taxi cab. He lived with the injury for the rest of his life.