JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man who they said fired multiple times at JSO detectives who were inside an unmarked car Friday afternoon on Jacksonville’s Eastside.
According to JSO, around 3:30 p.m., narcotics detectives were working in an undercover capacity on Florida Avenue.
Suddenly, the detectives saw a man at the intersection with East 22nd Street, who immediately and “without any interaction” started firing multiple rounds at their car.
Police said the man struck the car four to five times, and they did not fire back.
According to JSO, the suspect ran away and then left in a silver sedan in an unknown direction.
One of the two detectives inside the car suffered minor injuries and a laceration on one arm, according to JSO.
Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said strong efforts are made to protect undercover officers.
“From the second it goes from undercover operation where you have some detectives who may not be wearing a mask who are posing as drug users. The second it goes into an apprehension, the black mask comes out and those come on as an effort to protect the identity of the undercover,” Hackney said.
Police said the man was wearing dark pants and a dark hooded sweatshirt. He was described as a thin man, approximately 5 foot 8 to 6 feet tall.
JSO released a surveillance image of the man and a silver Toyota sedan with five-spoke rims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact JSO at 904-630-0500, by email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org or via CrimeStoppers at 866-845-TIPS.