Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫-𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝-𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sheriff T.K. Waters and Chief Alan Parker shared details about an officer-involved-shooting after an armed robbery suspect shot a JSO officer in the leg. This happened on Norfolk Boulevard at Soutel Drive in the Sherwood Forest area around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Around 7 a.m. this morning, witnesses saw the suspect near a business on Soutel Drive. Those witnesses tell us it appears he was casing the business. At 8 a.m., the business opened; the suspect entered shortly after. A customer at the business was shopping when they heard the suspect tell the cashier “Give me the money, or I’ll shoot you.” The customer was able to call 911 and give a description of the suspect.
Officer Luis Mercado arrived on scene and noticed a man who matched the suspect description leaving the area. The suspect led Officer Mercado on a foot chase. The officer told the suspect multiple times to stop and get on the ground. The officer caught up to the suspect and began handcuffing him while on the ground. That’s when the suspect rolled to his right, pulling out his gun and firing two shots. One shot hit Officer Mercado’s leg. The officer then returned fire.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department transported the officer and the suspect to the hospital. Officer Mercado is recovering from his injury. The suspect, 20-year-old Jamari Akins, did not survive.
The State Attorney’s Office is investigating. Once its investigation is complete, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own investigation.
Please continue to pray for Officer Mercado as he recovers. We ask you give the officer and his family privacy at this time.
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫-𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝-𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sheriff T.K. Waters and Chief Alan Parker shared details about an officer-involved-shooting after an armed robbery suspect shot a JSO officer in the leg. This happened on Norfolk Boulevard at Soutel Drive in the Sherwood Forest area around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Around 7 a.m. this morning, witnesses saw the suspect near a business on Soutel Drive. Those witnesses tell us it appears he was casing the business. At 8 a.m., the business opened; the suspect entered shortly after. A customer at the business was shopping when they heard the suspect tell the cashier “Give me the money, or I’ll shoot you.” The customer was able to call 911 and give a description of the suspect.
Officer Luis Mercado arrived on scene and noticed a man who matched the suspect description leaving the area. The suspect led Officer Mercado on a foot chase. The officer told the suspect multiple times to stop and get on the ground. The officer caught up to the suspect and began handcuffing him while on the ground. That’s when the suspect rolled to his right, pulling out his gun and firing two shots. One shot hit Officer Mercado’s leg. The officer then returned fire.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department transported the officer and the suspect to the hospital. Officer Mercado is recovering from his injury. The suspect, 20-year-old Jamari Akins, did not survive.
The State Attorney’s Office is investigating. Once its investigation is complete, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own investigation.
Please continue to pray for Officer Mercado as he recovers. We ask you give the officer and his family privacy at this time.
