JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in the Brentwood area Sunday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Around 3:50 p.m., JSO Director of Investigations and Homeland Security Mark Romano said a black sedan stopped at the intersection of 27th Street and Main Street.
Romano said surveillance video and witnesses told police that a man got out of the vehicle's passenger side door and fled. At the same time, the driver's side door opened, and "there was some type of struggle between the driver and an individual in the backseat."
The driver, a 30-year-old man, then started shooting multiple times into the vehicle, according to Romano.
"Almost simultaneously," an officer in the area saw the man shooting into the vehicle and then fired multiple shots at the suspect, striking him.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded, taking the suspect to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The person in the backseat was not shot, Romano said, but was also taken to the hospital, not for a "gun-related incident."
Police said one other vehicle was struck by gunfire during the incident, though no one else was injured.
Multiple units are on the scene, speaking with witnesses and gathering additional evidence.
The State Attorney's Office was also on scene conducting its investigation.
"This is officer-involved incident No. 3 for the year," said Romano.
The officer who fired the shots is Brian Rone, who has been working for JSO for 16 years. This is his first officer-involved shooting, according to Romano.
Police are searching for the man who fled from the vehicle for questioning. Romano said images of the man will be released for the community to assist in identifying him.
"We just need to identify that person and talk to him," he added.
Romano described the situation as "fluid" and said investigators would "get to the bottom of it with time."
"We're trying to just put the puzzle together, and figure it all out," Romano said. "And I would stress, that one of the big pieces of the puzzle is that person who fled that vehicle."
Main Street will be shut down for hours as law enforcement investigates, police said.
Romano added that JSO will investigate the shooting.
First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson says deadly force was an appropriate response to the situation.
“You don’t have time to order him to drop the gun because he’s already fired that weapon. Who’s to say he won’t turn and try to shoot you with it as well," said Jefferson.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact JSO's non-emergency number at (904) 630-0500, email jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org or call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS to remain anonymous.