Jacksonville Officer Shot During Armed Robbery Returns Fire, Kills Suspect

In Jacksonville, Florida, Officer Luis Mercado responded to an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store near Soutel Drive and Norfolk Boulevard, where a masked suspect demanded money and fled after receiving it. Mercado pursued the suspect, Jamari Rashaud Akins, 20, who was tackled and detained but then shot Mercado in the leg during the struggle. Despite his injury, Officer Mercado returned fire, fatally wounding Akins, who had a lengthy criminal history and was recently released from prison. Mercado administered first aid to himself on the scene and was hospitalized but released the same day. This incident marks the 10th officer-involved shooting by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2025, surpassing totals from previous years, and is currently under investigation by the State Attorney’s Office. Sheriff T.K. Waters emphasized the necessity of Mercado's response, stating that the suspect posed a danger to the community after shooting at a police officer.