JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville police officer was shot in the foot during a gunfight with an armed suspect wearing a ballistic vest, The Florida Times-Union reported.
The suspect, who was carrying a rifle with a drum magazine and had a second pistol in his vehicle, died in the exchange, according to the report.
The March 12 incident began when Officer A.C. Gaulding conducted a traffic stop, according to the report. As Gaulding exited his vehicle, the suspect opened his car door and began firing, body camera footage released March 29 shows.
Gaulding returned fire, with both exchanging gunfire for several seconds. The officer was struck in the foot and retreated behind a white fence, video shows.
As the officer moved away from the suspect, the suspect reached into his vehicle and removed a rifle. Gaulding then continued to fire shots at him, fatally wounding him.
The officer is expected to recover, according to the report. The suspect was shot multiple times and later died at the hospital.
Sheriff T.K. Waters called the incident alarming, pointing out the suspect’s apparent preparation for violence: “This guy had a bulletproof vest. He had bad intentions … thankfully, our officer was able to stop him from doing something to somebody else.”
