The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has made public the details and footage of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Norfolk Boulevard, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Jamari Akins. According to a social media post by the department, the incident took place last Wednesday, and began when Akins allegedly entered a business on Soutel Drive, brandishing a gun and demanding money from a cashier.
Following the robbery, officers were able to respond rapidly due to the cashier's emergency call. Officer Mercado and Officer Swinton arrived on the scene just as Akins was fleeing the location. It was during the ensuing pursuit that the confrontation escalated. Akins, in an attempt to evade capture, fired a gun at Officer Mercado, wounding him in the thigh. The officer, in response, returned fire, injuring Akins fatally. Attempts were made by Officer Mercado to provide medical aid until backup and paramedics arrived to transfer both the officer and Akins to hospital.
The released video content, which is described as graphic by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, is part of an effort to maintain transparency. The State Attorney's Office is set to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting to evaluate the legality of the involved officer’s actions. Subsequently, an internal review by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will ensure that policy was followed. A Response to Resistance Board will then review the findings before they are submitted to the Sheriff for a final decision. As of now, conclusions on the incident are pending the outcome of these reviews. Viewers of the footage have been advised to exercise discretion due to the graphic nature of the content.
