BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said a man died Tuesday evening after exiting his home with two guns and being shot by deputies.
BCSO said the incident occurred around 7 p.m. when deputies learned of someone who was reportedly making threats to employees at a bank earlier in the day.
The man was identified as 39-year-old Michael Crawford.
After finding the suspect at his home on NW CR225, near NW SR 16, Crawford “exited the home with two firearms,” deputies said.
“While deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation, shots were fired, resulting in the suspect being hit‚” the sheriff’s office said.
BCSO said the man died at the scene.
The agency also said that no deputies were injured.
News4JAX asked Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith why lethal force was the answer in this situation, as opposed to getting him help.
“We were hoping to get the mental help but when somebody comes out the door shooting there’s not much more you can do at that time,” Sheriff Smith explained. “The deputies on first look, it appears they done everything appropriately by the book.”
The crime scene remains active, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.
