The man shot and killed by St. Johns County deputies on a busy stretch of U.S. 1 Tuesday — in full view of shocked motorists — had opened fire on a business employee moments before leading law enforcement on a chase.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were responding to a report of gunfire at a local business on International Golf Parkway around 3:40 p.m. when they spotted the suspect speeding south on U.S. 1.
Deputies pursued the suspect as traffic slowed and drivers looked on, some pulling over as sirens closed in.
Using a PIT maneuver, deputies forced the vehicle to spin out on the highway shoulder.
The man immediately exited the disabled vehicle and began walking down the roadway. Deputies shouted commands for him to surrender, but the Sheriff’s Office says he continued to walk away while armed.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was airlifted to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said the chaos began minutes earlier at a nearby business, where the suspect allegedly confronted an associate and fired several shots at them. The intended victim was not injured.
Witnesses driving along U.S. 1 described the scene as chaotic and frightening, with law enforcement vehicles swarming the roadway and traffic backing up as the pursuit unfolded.
The SJSO Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, and no deputies were injured.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 1, which were closed during the investigation, have since reopened.
The Sheriff’s Office says additional updates will be provided and a press conference is scheduled for this morning.
