JSO: Officers fire shots at man accused of planting device

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man who allegedly planted a destructive device at a mental health facility Tuesday morning was shot at by officers after coming out of his home armed with swords, according to police.

Police said Christopher Bell, 24, threw a box of contents which if configured correctly could detonate in front River Point Behavioral Health around 12:30 a.m.

A bomb squad came to the facility and rendered the box safe.

Investigators watched surveillance footage of Bell allegedly planting the device and used his medical history at the facility to identify him.

Atlantic Beach police visited his home at Sea Oats apartments and found the car he was in the night before at the apartments.

Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Bell for planting a destructive device.

The SWAT team, officers from Atlantic Beach and JSO evacuated nearby residents.

When SWAT detectives asked Bell to come outside, he emerged from the apartment several times with "edged-weapons" and swords, according to police.

Bell told officers that they were going to have to take his life, according to officials.

Bell went back inside the apartment and came outside for a final time with what detectives thought was another sword.

Bell took a "Bruce Lee"-like fighting stance in front of a SWAT vehicle and began to advance toward detectives, according to police.

SWAT Officer and 6-year veteran Matt Turner then fired a shot at Bell from an AR-15 but missed.

Another detective shot two foam ball rounds and hit Bell.

Bell gave up and was arrested. He is charged with making or throwing an explosive device and three counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer.

Police said no one was injured.

Bell had previously been arrested in December 2015 after police found Bell reportedly wrapped in duct tape and dancing on the beach.

Bell admitted to eating an unknown number of mushrooms, and JSO found marijuana in his car.

Bell was also arrested in January on misdemeanor drug charges.

River Point Behavioral Health released a statement that said in part:

"Fortunately, there were no injuries to any of the patients or staff, which was River Point Behavioral Health's number one concern. ... We appreciate the exceptional responsiveness of the local law enforcement and JSO to ensure the safety of our facility and community."

Cox Media Group