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Neighbors identify man killed in officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man who was shot and killed by a Jacksonville police officer during a suspected home invasion was identified by neighbors.

Neighbors told Action News Jax that the man killed Thursday morning was Jacob Depetris. Action News Jax is working to confirm the name with police.

Police said Depetris invaded a home on Shims Road, fired through their door, but when he tried to shoot the people inside his gun jammed.

Neighbors said they believe Depetris was angry with his ex-girlfriend.

Police said Depetris had a bottle of liquor in one hand and a gun in the other.

"(The suspect) raised it quite high, in pointing it at the officer. The officer discharged his weapon we know of twice,” said JSO Undersheriff Pat Ivey.

The officer, Howard Smith, is a 27-year veteran of the force.

“They were justified in their use of deadly force,” said Action News Jax Crime and Safety expert Ken Jefferson. “Deadly force is the last part of the use of force continuum that is used because it is deadly force. So if your life or other lives are in danger they are justified in deadly force.”

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Neighbors said the family of Depetris' ex-girlfriend live in the home. The two had a daughter.

Neighbors believe custody issues over the young girl could have been the reason behind the incident.

In a Facebook post from last month, Depetris posted about his daughter growing up in a broken home saying in part, “I don't know what kind of woman wouldn't want us as her family, but good luck to her finding something more special than Blakely and I.”

Jefferson believes Depetris had a plan.

“People have the mentality they will commit suicide by cop by pointing a weapon or inferring they’re going to shoot,” Jefferson said.

Action News Jax looked into Depetris' criminal history and found he had fled officers in the past. His criminal history includes trespassing charges and that he had a grand theft auto charge in Nassau County.

Matthew Manor, a friend of Depetris, said he was troubled.

“He wouldn’t go to jail, and if it came down to it he would make the police take his life,” Manor said.

Manor said he was depressed and struggling with addiction.

Action News Jax contacted both families involved in the shooting, but they declined to comment.