JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released new details and video footage that gives more insight into what happened before, during and after an officer-involved shooting that left a man dead in the Brentwood area in late May.
Around 3:50 p.m. on May 26, 30-year-old Ray Anthony Ross got into an argument with his half-brother while they were inside Ross’ car at a stoplight at the intersection of 27th and North Main streets, JSO Chief of Professional Standards Mike Shell said in a video that was posted on YouTube. (Warning: The video contains disturbing images. Viewer discretion is advised)
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According to the brother, the argument escalated and Ross, who was initially in the driver’s seat, got out of the car, which began rolling forward. Ross then returned to the driver’s seat and put the car in park. He then got out of the car again, holding a gun in his left hand.
Ross and the half-brother then began physically struggling over an object that was inside the car, police said. During the struggle, a third person who was seated in the front passenger seat, got out of the car and ran away.
At the same time, JSO officer B.L. Rone, who happened to be in that area, pulled up behind Ross’ car and noticed he was armed with a handgun. Rone then saw Ross shooting multiple times at the back seat of the vehicle, according to Shell.
According to JSO, Rone yelled multiple commands at Ross to drop his gun. But Ross continued to shoot at the car’s backseat.
That’s when Rone fired and struck Ross, Shell said.
Ross then walked to a nearby parking lot where he dropped his gun, sat down, and fell back on the pavement. Meanwhile, Rone was standing right in front of Ross, still pointing his gun at him while waiting for paramedics to arrive, video captured by a nearby surveillance camera shows.
Ross was transported to a hospital where he died.
The half-brother was not struck by gunfire, but he was also transported to a hospital as he was suffering from an “apparent” drug overdose, JSO said. He was released later that day.
Shell said Rone did not activate his body-worn camera until after the shooting.
Crime scene detectives searched Ross’ vehicle and found another handgun inside a bag on the driver’s seat.
The incident is being investigated by the State Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether Rone’s actions were lawful. Once that investigation is finished, JSO will begin an administrative investigation into the officer’s actions to determine if they were within an agency policy.
“Our understanding of this incident may change as additional evidence is collected in review. We do not draw any conclusions regarding whether the officer acted appropriately with respect to the law or JSO policy until all the facts are known and the investigation is completed,” Shell said.
JSO said these investigations could take up to a year or more to complete.