JSO: Man wielding knife in street, reportedly stabbing self, shot by Officer in San Marco area

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating in the San Marco area after a 49-year-old man was seen reportedly stabbing himself, leading to an Officer-involved shooting.

Police said a 49-year-old suspect wasn’t listening to commands while he held a knife over his head and walked towards officers - that’s when he was tased and shot 3 times.

A call to the police about a suspicious man waving a knife around and stabbing himself led to him being shot and tased by officers in San Marco.

Neighbors in the area heard it unfold.

Neighbor Kevin McShane said, “I heard three gunshots. At first, I thought it was backfire from a car or motorcycle. I release it was gunshots.  I came out to open the front door and saw police running tape across the street.”

It happened around 2:16 this afternoon at the intersection of Atlantic Blvd and Belote Place, police said when they found the suspect he started walking towards officers and raised this knife over his head.

Officers told him to stop, drop the knife and get on the ground but JSO said he didn’t listen. One officer tased him while another shot him 3 times in the thigh.

Chief of Investigations Alan Parker said officers were within policy.

Parker said, “What we had here today is a deadly encounter, coming with a knife advancing toward them with a knife above his head. Who knows what his attention is, but we have a reactionary gap they are trained in. 25 feet, once you hit the 25-foot mark with an edged weapon like that you’re well within range you can get to the officer and hurt them before they can defend themselves. They gave him multiple commands he chose not to obey for whatever reason, they engaged the suspect at that time. He had a choice and made the wrong choice.”

We were sent this video by someone who didn’t want to be identified, it shows the suspect on the ground. He’s in critical condition but expected to survive. Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Jimmy Lamar Riggs. JSO said he’s been baker-acted 3 times and has a previous drug arrest locally and several out-of-county arrests.

The neighbor we spoke with was in his house when the gunfire went off.

This marks the first Officer-involved shooting in 2024.

This is an ongoing investigation and the story will be updated when details arrive.

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