Bodycam: Fla. Deputy Returns Fire After Gunman Shoots at Him

A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office sergeant escaped injury after a gunman opened fire outside an agency substation, striking a nearby building before being fatally shot by the deputy.

What to Know

  • A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office sergeant was approached by a man outside an agency substation Aug. 18 when the encounter suddenly turned violent.
  • The man, identified as Christopher Ford, pulled a handgun, raised it toward the sergeant and fired, missing the deputy and striking a nearby building.
  • The sergeant returned fire and fatally shot Ford, who received medical aid from responding officers but was pronounced dead at the scene; the shooting remains under investigation.

A Florida deputy escaped injury when a gunman opened fire during a confrontation last month before the deputy returned fire and fatally shot the suspect.

The incident happened at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 18 when a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office sergeant in his cruiser outside an agency stop station was approached by a man, later identified as Christopher Ford, according to a sheriff's office news release that included body camera footage of the encounter. The sergeant got out of his cruiser and began talking with Ford.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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