Man killed in exchange for gunfire with Clay County MPs

CLAY COUNTY, Florida –A man died Saturday night after exchanging gunfire with Clay County MPs, authorities said.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he responded at around 10:50 p.m. at an apartment complex on Burwick Avenue near Blanding Boulevard after receiving several calls about gunfire.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies arrived about five minutes later and encountered a gunman who then started shooting them. The deputies shoot, hitting the man, the sheriff’s office said.

A woman, who did not wish to be identified, told News4Jax that she and her boyfriend were watching TV when they heard the first shots not far from their unit.

“The shots, I counted seven,” she said. “I was, like, ‘Wait a sec?’ I was realizing what it was.

Moments later, the woman said, they heard more.

“They kind of stopped for a bit,” she recalls. “I went to the bathroom, then I heard the vibration and I shouted, ‘They started shooting again?’ And then they said, ‘Yeah, they started shooting back and forth, back and forth.’ “

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The man was taken to Orange Park Medical Center, where he died around 11:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. Investigators said his identity will not be revealed until they contact his family.

According to the sheriff’s office, this was the first shooting involving a deputy for each of the three deputies involved. The MPs, who have law enforcement experience ranging from three to six years, were not injured.

“We appreciate the continued support of our community and I ask that we keep in your thoughts and prayers everyone involved in tonight’s incident,” said Sheriff Michelle Cook.

The woman News4Jax spoke with said she was thankful that she and her boyfriend were safe.

“I moved to Clay because I feel safer in Clay County for some reason. I don’t know if it’s just a mentality that I have, ”she says. “So seeing things like this so close to home is sad, you know?”

At the request of the Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to investigate.

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