Two officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office fatally shot a man wielding what turned out to be a butter knife on the city's Northwest side earlier this week. The incident, which occurred last night, quickly escalated when the suspect, who was later identified as 54-year-old Djuan Octavious Jackson, approached a family that was dealing with a carjacking incident involving an elderly family member. According to Action News Jax, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Water said at a news conference, "He's got a knife," as described by family members who witnessed Jackson making stabbing motions towards one of them.
Director Mark Romano, in a statement obtained by the Jacksonville.com, detailed that the two officers engaged the suspect, shooting him multiple times. Contrary to initial beliefs, the family member thought to have been attacked was not injured, and it was later discovered that Jackson had only a butterknife.
After the incident, and as per regular protocols, officers handcuffed the wounded Jackson and attempted to render aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The two officers involved, Officer J. Montgomery and Officer J.C. Rose, have since been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the State’s Attorneys Office. These details were further corroborated by First Coast News, which also mentioned that Jackson had a history of violent crimes, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The State Attorney’s Office is now investigating the legality of the shooting to determine if it was justified, amidst considerations that the officers acted to "save lives," a sentiment echoed by Sheriff T.K. Waters in an interview with First Coast News.
