An 18-year-old male was shot by a police officer in Jacksonville after a confrontation regarding inappropriate text messages exchanged with a 13-year-old girl.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) reported an unsettling incident on Monday, where an officer shot an 18-year-old man accused of threatening a mother. The mother, whose daughter had been receiving inappropriate texts from the suspect, took matters into her own hands by posing as her daughter to confront him.
The planned meeting took place at a local restaurant early in the morning. The mother, accompanied by her children, faced the suspect, identified as Cerry Banks, who allegedly threatened her with violence. Banks is reported to have told the mother, ‘When you hear the shots tonight, you’ll know what’s up.’
Following the threat, Banks attempted to evade the situation by running towards the back of the establishment. Authorities, who were already en route, arrived shortly after to address the situation. The officer engaged with Banks, who refused to comply with commands to show his hands and subsequently fled the scene.
During the ensuing chase, the officer witnessed Banks draw a firearm from his waistband, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon multiple times. Banks continued to flee despite sustaining injuries but was eventually apprehended with the assistance of a K9 unit while hiding in a drainage pipe. The firearm was later recovered by the police.
JSO confirmed that Banks was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. At the time of the report, he was in stable condition. This incident marks the seventh officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville this year.
Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the community, advising parents against direct confrontations with potential offenders. While he acknowledged the parental instinct to protect one’s children, he urged the public to allow law enforcement to handle such high-risk situations.
This incident underscores the potential dangers involved in direct confrontations with suspects. Authorities continue to investigate, highlighting the importance of involving law enforcement in such critical situations.
Source: News4jax
