Man Armed With Knife & Airsoft Gun Shot by Jacksonville Sheriff

A man, who allegedly shot at a Jacksonville sheriff’s officer, was struck multiple times when the officer returned fire after responding to an arson investigation, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff T.K Waters held a news conference to discuss the officer-involved shooting.

JSO said it was called to a home on Boney Road Saturday evening. The man who lives in the house told police that he believed human trafficking was happening and people were digging under the home, trying to break in, JSO said.

Police responded to those calls and determined the man was having a mental episode and those claims were not true.

Later Sunday morning, the homeowner called to say the man was trying to set fire to the home. JSO said he lit a curtain on fire.

When an officer arrived again, the man was on the porch with a knife, according to police.

The officer ordered him to drop the knife. The man then proceeded to pick up an airsoft gun with the tip painted black, so the pistol looked like a real gun