CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that happened Saturday at a Green Cove Springs gas station in Clay County. The incident started with a hostage situation that shut down roads in the area for several hours, investigators said.
The suspect, 44-year-old Lancy L. Keenon of Palatka, is now charged with armed kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, Green Cove Springs Police Department said. Keenon was still in the hospital as of Sunday afternoon.
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The Green Cove Springs Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and SWAT were called to the Speedway gas station on US 17 and State Road 16 just after 7 p.m. on Saturday night. The clerk told deputies a man and woman were arguing outside and then went into the bathroom.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said the man held the woman hostage inside the bathroom for more than four hours. Deputies closed down portions of the roads surrounding the station while SWAT team members and negotiators spoke to the man.
According to Green Cove Springs Police Department, Keenon was shot by a member of the Clay County SWAT team as he was holding a weapon. He was taken to the hospital and the victim was recovered unharmed.
Sheriff Cook said the woman, who was being held hostage, was rescued and is cooperating with detectives.
Westbound traffic on the Shands Bridge was rerouted and the eastbound side was closed. Deputies were also redirecting traffic from the Buckman Bridge and US-17.
Deputies noted the incident was unrelated to the Green Cove Springs Christmas Parade, though this happened around the time the parade was winding down.
It is not clear if anyone else was inside the gas station at the time the possibly armed person entered.
FDLE was on the scene Sunday morning to investigate since a deputy was involved in the shooting.
Workers told News4JAX the gas station would be closed for an undisclosed amount of time Sunday to clean up following the incident.