JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An officer fired his Taser gun at a domestic violence suspect three times Sunday morning before the officer drew his gun and fired six shots at the man, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The suspect, identified as Devanta Jones, 22, was hit by four of the shots and was reported in critical but stable condition at UF Health Jacksonville.
Police said Jones was trying to strangle a woman, identified as Katrina Oliver, when they arrived. JSO Director Tom Hackney said Jones ran, then went to another apartment.
They said Jones kicked in the door of another apartment with three children inside. Police said Jones escaped that apartment after a brief struggle. Hackney said he then tried to break into a third apartment.
"The subject had several opportunities to comply," Hackney said, adding the officer did not draw and fire his gun until deploying a Taser three times, then losing the Taser to Jones in a struggle.
JSO Officer Clifford Sames was the officer involved in the shooting. The incident Sunday was his third shooing.
In 2008, he was wounded in a shootout with Chester Elliot, 22, who was killed
In 2014, Sames shot and wounded Devon Spencer, 23, while investigating a car theft. Police said Spencer fired at Sames with an assault weapon. Prosecutors charged Spencer with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was convicted on one of the counts, acquitted of the other, and sentenced to ten years in prison.
Family members of Jones told News4Jax he is alive and in surgery.
"I just got a call from my sister at the hospital. Said he was shot and is in emergency surgery," said Rakeeme Joyner, Jones' brother-in-law.
Joyner is the CEO of CAP Kom entertainment group and assistant director of Metro Kids Konnection. Those groups held a rally against violence in January.
Joyner said Jones left his apartment after having an argument with Oliver and it was Jones who called police.
News4Jax learned Jones has four children.
Joyner said his brother-in-law was unarmed.
"If my brother dies, oh yes, there's going to be demonstrations. There's going to be mass demonstrations of non-violence," Joyner said.
Joyner also said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office needs body cameras.
Police are meeting at JSO headquarters for a news conference 10:30 a.m. Monday to disclose more information. Police are also looking for any surveillance video that might aid the investigation.