JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 16-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries Monday morning after shooting himself during a lengthy standoff with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies who were attempting to take him into protective custody following reports that he was suicidal and armed.
Sheriff T.K. Waters and Chief of Homeland Security Mike Shell provided details during a news briefing on the incident.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the agency’s 911 Communications Center received a call at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 from a concerned parent reporting that her teenage son was suicidal and carrying a handgun.
Officers responded to the family’s home but learned the teen had already left the area.
Within about 30 minutes, officers located him at a movie theater off Philips Highway near Shad Road.
Teen Pulled Out Handgun During Encounter
As officers attempted to speak with the teen, he pulled out a handgun.
In response, one officer deployed a Taser while another officer fired multiple shots. Authorities said neither the Taser nor the gunfire struck the teenager.
The teen remained armed in the parking lot, prompting officers to establish a perimeter because of the potential danger to responding officers and people at nearby businesses.
At approximately 8 a.m., the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and the agency’s Behavioral Crisis Response Unit responded to the scene.
Mental health clinicians spoke with the teen by telephone for more than an hour while SWAT officers worked to develop a plan to safely disarm him.
Teen Shoots Himself During SWAT Operation
At approximately 9:15 a.m., SWAT officers began implementing a plan to move the teen east across the parking lot toward officers positioned to safely disarm him.
Authorities said a pepper ball was fired onto the ground near the teen in an effort to encourage him to move.
Instead, the teen placed the handgun to his head and shot himself.
He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he remained in life-threatening condition.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it is not releasing the teen’s identity because he is a juvenile. Officials did disclose that he is a white male who was expelled from school in 2023 after making threats toward a middle school.
Investigation Underway
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit is conducting the investigation into the incident.
“I don’t think anyone wants an ending like this obviously,” Chief Mike Shell said. “And if there are people in distress, we want them to reach out and get help and get resources.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.