By Lauren Hallacher
Action News
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A chief with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says two of his officers are lucky to have survived a shootout with a suspect in Arlington. “You just never know in this job what you’re going to face,” said Chief Tom Hackney.
According to JSO, two officers pulled over a vehicle because of a broken tail light. One officer approached the driver’s side, the other officer began questioning the passenger. Shortly after, police say the passenger, John Dawson Parker, tried to run away. One officer ran after him, while the other got into his patrol car and chased after Parker.
One officer tackled the Parker in a yard at the corner of India Road and Arlington Road. Both officers struggled with the suspect, but Hackney says the officers were ready for what happened next. “The suspect sits up, produces a handgun from his waist and fires several shots at the officers. Both officers then fired several shots at the suspect, shooting several times...the suspect was actually struck. He is dead at the scene.” Police say Parker fired a total of four shots at the officers.
JSO says they believe Parker, the son of a JSO corrections officer, ran because he had drugs in the car. They also say he is a member of a local gang.
Full story: Man killed by police was son of Corrections Officer