Today, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was the location of a fatal officer‑involved shooting. It was the fifth such incident this year and the second this week. The shooting involved officers and a 62‑year‑old man identified as Jose Cabrera. According to First Coast News, officers were called last night to a reported domestic violence incident in which Cabrera, armed with a knife, had threatened a victim and then left the scene.
Authorities made phone contact with Cabrera, who reportedly refused to return to prison. After being directed to a family member's residence on Fox Tail Lane, officers located Cabrera's vehicle. When instructed to exit the vehicle, he reportedly emerged holding a large knife and approached the officers.
Cabrera continued moving toward officers despite instructions to drop the knife, prompting the officers to discharge their weapons multiple times. The officers then attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, but Cabrera was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Friday, according to a News4Jax report.
The three officers involved were identified in a statement obtained by News4Jax as W. Morris, G. Griffis, and R. Rhoden. This was their first solo patrol shift. Sheriff T.K. Waters stated that the officers had received adequate training and that their actions were in response to a perceived threat.
An independent investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the State Attorney's Office, followed by an internal review by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Results from both investigations have not yet been released.
