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Police: Jacksonville police, suspect OK after exchanging gunfire outside Moncrief home

The suspect eventually exited the residence unarmed and was able to be taken into custody.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man and all the officers involved are OK after exchanging gunfire in the Moncrief area Saturday night, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. 

A heavy police presence developed at the corner of Moncrief Road and Edgewood Avenue West Saturday evening, with at least 25 police cars as well as SWAT units on scene.

That scene was enough to catch the attention of folks in the area.

"I was coming down the street, and I saw three or four cars, and I came a little further up, and there's more stuff going on over there," said Layla Sturgill, who lives near the scene. "There's definitely something big that's just occurred right now."

Sturgill had her trek back home from the grocery store interrupted by a massive scene along Edgewood Avenue.

The two dozen or so squad cars she saw were there after a man opened fire on police.

"As they were exiting their vehicles, that subject came out of the residence and fired at least five rounds at the officers, striking one of their cars," said Assistant Chief Shawn Coarsey.

Officers were able to successfully take a suspect into custody after he fired on police officers, according to JSO. A drone officer assisted in the arrest, and JSO was eventually able to speak with the suspect and get him to exit the residence unarmed.

There were two people inside the home who JSO was concerned may be hostages. 

"After those gunshots, the two other individuals that were inside that residence were able to escape through the front door," said Coarsey. "The officers on scene were able to take them into safety."

The officers were able to take the shooter into custody without any injuries to anyone involved.

Coarsey said the officers were "lucky" to have been unscathed.

"We're always proud of our officers, they come out here every day knowing a situation like this could arise, but they still come out here and do their job," said Coarsey.

Coarsey says the shooter is in custody and will face charges.

Edgewood Avenue was closed at the time, as well as the Edgewood & Moncrief Center shopping plaza.

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