JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Update: A report released in December 2023 said that Ball died of cocaine toxicity.
A 33-year-old man died Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, as police say he was suffering from a "medical emergency" while in custody, according to a news release from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
On Saturday at 12:26 p.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of English Colony Drive in the Southwood area of Jacksonville. Upon arrival, officers detained the man identified as Anthony Ball for allegedly "acting erratically and firing a weapon several times," according to witnesses, the release states. Witnesses say the incident involved accusing Ball of walking around a neighborhood in the area, openly carrying a firearm.
"He ran up saying 'Help me! Help me! They're trying to kill me. He was just hallucinating," said Matt Daly, who called 9-1-1. "There was no one there."
Matt Daly didn't really know his neighbor from a few houses over, he says he'd just moved in a few months ago.
He never really interacted with him - until his neighbor was running at him.
"We tried to help him," said Daly. "He ran to the front door with me and brandished a fire arm."
At that moment, Daly was glad his two kids weren't home.
He says the man dropped to the ground and started shooting.
"Rolling around, firing at people that did not exist," said Daly.
Daly says he heard a dozen gun shots.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says they found three shell casings.
Daly didn't have any bullets in his house, his cars or his boat.
"He didn't hit anything," said Daly. "It's the darndest thing."
The release states that nobody was injured from the gunfire.
Once Ball was detained by being placed in the back of a patrol car, he was reportedly "being treated" by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department first responders. Police say he was alert and seated upright in the patrol vehicle and was cleared to be taken to the pre-trial detention facility, according to the release.
JSO says approximately 10 minutes later, officers checked on Ball again and observed he was slumped over in the back of the patrol vehicle.
"The car was running," said Daly. "AC running. A little while later, they pulled him out, they traked him and were doing the best they could."
Medical personnel determined that Ball was suffering from a medical emergency and immediately took him to a local medical facility, the release states. Police say Ball's condition "deteriorated" and he was pronounced dead just after 2 p.m.
Initial findings by detectives reveal no use of force was observed during Ball's detainment. The release states that detectives also interviewed witnesses in which they told police that no force had been used in detaining Ball.
During a canvass of the area, a Smith and Wesson .40 Cal Handgun was found at the scene, along with three shell casings.
"Just a shame of a situation," said Daly.
The Medical Examiner's Office determination of death will follow an autopsy of Ball as detectives are continuing their investigation with interviews and taking assessment of the available evidence located at the scene, the release states.
