JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The parking lot outside of Regal Cinema became the scene of an intense police standoff with a tragic conclusion Monday morning.
Around 6:30 AM, JSO received a call about a 16-year-old boy who left his family’s home in Baymeadows with a gun and left behind a suicide note.
Within 30 minutes, officers managed to locate the teen four miles away in the Regal Cinema Parking lot.
READ HERE: SWAT standoff on Philips Highway ends with suicidal teen shooting himself, Jacksonville police say
Officers said when they attempted to communicate with him, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head, which prompted officers to fire a taser and a handgun at the teen.
“Both officers missed while attempting to deploy their weapons platforms and the suspect fled northbound into the parking lot,” said JSO Chief of Homeland Security Mike Shell.
JSO called in SWAT and the Behavioral Health Unit, which contacted the teen over the phone.
“They were able to get in contact with the subject on the phone and be in a safe position to add their skillset to this situation,” said Shell.
Officers reported the teen claimed to have been Baker Acted in the past and was expelled from Mayport Middle School in 2023 after making threats.
“He wanted to quote, kill everyone and everyone, including the dean at the school,” said Shell.
As SWAT attempted to push the teen into a position where he could be apprehended, JSO said he pulled his gun back out and shot himself in the head.
According to JSO, the teen was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“This isn’t the goal that anyone has. You know, it’s difficult for those involved. On the family side, I feel terrible for them. It’s difficult for the officers involved,” said Shell. ”All the way around, it’s a terrible situation.”
Sheriff TK Waters said the teen’s parents did the right thing by calling police, and added the goal is always to end these types of situations peacefully.
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