JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is reviewing cellphone video that appears part of an incident that led up to officers firing their weapons at a suspect who stabbed someone Tuesday night.
The video, submitted by a viewer on SnapJax, shows what appears to be the aftermath of a stabbing at a construction site near I-295 and Main Street. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Benjamin Kubi, was shot by police after a chase that ended with a confrontation.
Language used in the video may not be suitable for all ages. Viewer discretion is advised.
Stabbing sparks police pursuit
According to police, a construction worker was stabbed by a man driving a black Mercedes shortly before 11 p.m. at the intersection of I-295 and Main Street. The victim, who was directing traffic at the site, told police he couldn’t understand the driver’s questions and asked him to move on. Moments later, the man allegedly pulled a knife from under his car seat and stabbed the worker in the arm. The worker is expected to survive.
The victim alerted his supervisor, who notified the off-duty JSO officer working security at the site, prompting a police pursuit that stretched more than two miles. According to police, Kubi eventually stopped his car near Duval Station Road and exited, armed with a knife.
Police use force after confrontation
JSO reported that Kubi charged at one of the officers with the knife. The officer deployed a taser, JSO says, but failed to subdue him. Both officers then opened fire, and Kubi was hit multiple times. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney, who spent nearly three decades with JSO, emphasized the split-second decisions law enforcement must make in such scenarios.
“Try to put yourself in that officer’s position...‘this is a matter of seconds between these things...happening. What do I do? What would I do?’“ Hackney said. ”It does get pretty scary.”
This incident marks the eighth time JSO officers have used deadly force this year, including two incidents within the past ten days. Last week, police shot and injured a service dog, with the dog’s owner also telling News4JAX that she suffered a leg wound from a bullet fragment. Police said all the incidents involved armed individuals.
Kubi faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.