Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer was injured after an armed man wearing a bulletproof vest shot him during an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning near Trout River Boulevard and Ribault Scenic Highway.
Around 9 a.m., Officer A.C. Gaulding pulled the suspect over during a traffic deployment. When the suspect stopped, he opened the car door. The officer told him to stop; that’s when the suspect began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire. Officer Gaulding was hit in the foot; his patrol vehicle was also struck by gunfire. Other officers were able to reach the suspect and provide first aid; the suspect was taken to the hospital where he died.
Our investigation revealed the suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest when he began shooting at the officer. We also found a second firearm in the car.
This is the fourth officer-involved shooting this year. The State Attorney’s Office is investigating. Once its investigation is complete, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will conduct our own investigation.
A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer was injured after an armed man wearing a bulletproof vest shot him during an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning near Trout River Boulevard and Ribault Scenic Highway.
Around 9 a.m., Officer A.C. Gaulding pulled the suspect over during a traffic deployment. When the suspect stopped, he opened the car door. The officer told him to stop; that’s when the suspect began firing at the officer. The officer returned fire. Officer Gaulding was hit in the foot; his patrol vehicle was also struck by gunfire. Other officers were able to reach the suspect and provide first aid; the suspect was taken to the hospital where he died.
Our investigation revealed the suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest when he began shooting at the officer. We also found a second firearm in the car.
This is the fourth officer-involved shooting this year. The State Attorney’s Office is investigating. Once its investigation is complete, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will conduct our own investigation.
