JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man identified as a person of interest in a deadly early-morning shooting was shot and killed by officers hours later after allegedly firing at law enforcement during an attempted arrest, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
Sheriff T.K. Waters said the investigation began around 5:30 a.m. April 22, 2026, when officers responded to a shooting in the 8200 block of Susie Street on Jacksonville’s Westside.
At that scene, officers found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The woman was pronounced dead, while the male victim survived and remains hospitalized.
Investigators quickly identified a person of interest who was known to the victims and had a long-term relationship with the woman, officials said. Authorities also determined the suspect, a 53-year-old white male, had an active theft warrant issued on Dec. 31, 2025.
Around 1 p.m., the JSO Community Problem Response Team began tracking the suspect with the intent to arrest him on the outstanding warrant. He was located in the 5100 block of Julington Creek Road in the Mandarin area.
Officers attempted a vehicle block to take him into custody, but the suspect tried to evade and then pointed a gun at officers, firing at least once, police said.
Five officers returned fire, striking and killing the suspect at the scene. A firearm was recovered underneath the suspect’s body.
No officers were injured.
The officers involved were identified as:
- Sgt. A. Eleftheriadis, a nine-year veteran, involved in his second officer-involved shooting
- Det. A. Prescott, an eight-year veteran, also involved in his second officer-involved shooting
- Det. V. Whitmar, a seven-year veteran, first officer-involved shooting
- Det. J. Walling-Millanes, a three-year veteran, first officer-involved shooting
- K-9 Officer J. Mulhearn, a seven-year veteran, first officer-involved shooting
Officials said this marks the seventh officer-involved shooting for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2026.
The State Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, which is standard protocol. Once that review is complete, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own internal investigation.
The case remains ongoing.