JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three armed robbery suspects were shot leaving a Westside auto parts store Monday night, one of them fatally, after police said they refused an order to stop and put down their guns.
Police said officers staked out the Auto Zone in the 500 block of Cassat Avenue after robbers with guns in their hands were seen entering the store just after 9 p.m. The store was in the process of closing, but store personnel and others were inside.
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Officers said they opened fire when the three men refused orders to stop and drop their guns as they left the store carrying cash taken from the register and safe.
"This is a very serious incident," Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford said. "We have three robbery suspects who have been shot by JSO personnel. We want to make sure our officers have performed properly, that our officers are OK and that the crime scene is processed properly."
Ronald Thompson, 19, died at the scene. Police identified the two injured men as Amos Rains, 24, and Clarence Whitfield, 56. Both were in stable condition Tuesday morning at Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center.
Police said Rains and Whitfield were charged with robbery and felony murder, having committed a felony that resulted in a death.
Police believe this group is responsible for at least 18 armed robberies and they had been on alert for a robbery at the store.
Rutherford said that armed robberies are a danger to the community and they put a significant amount of resources into trying to stop them.
"I think the officers -- JSO -- did a wonderful job," area resident Junior Triplett said. "I'm glad no one else did get hurt in the store."
Three officersofficers involved in the shootings -- robbery Detective Larry Kuczkowski, robbery Detective R.A. McLain and patrol Officer M.S. Lundquist are on paid administrative leave while the shootings are investigated, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.
