2 suspects dead, K9 shot after shootout & police pursuit in North Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed two suspects are dead and one K9 was shot during an officer-involved incident on Friday.

Update: 7/23/22

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Huk is expected to make it. Huk is very special to our agency as Huk helped aid in the capture of Patrick McDowell, who shot Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Josh Moyers in September 2021.”

Click here to view their official post.

Original Story:

Another suspect was taken to the hospital, JSO says.

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Police received calls of gunfire in the area of Commonwealth Avenue and Division Street around 1:52 p.m.

When they arrived at the scene, they identified the suspect vehicle with three suspects inside in the 2400 block of West 45th Street. There was an exchange of gunfire, JSO says, but no officers were hurt.

The suspect vehicle then fled triggering a police pursuit.

The pursuit ended at Zoo Parkway and Busch Drive when the suspect vehicle hit another vehicle and crashed into a fence. No civilians were injured.

Police told the suspects to surrender and when they did not comply a K9 was deployed. The K9 was shot by at least one of the suspects, JSO says, and was airlifted to the veterinary center in Jacksonville Beach.

Action News Jax has learned that the K9 was named “Huk” and has been involved in other high-profile cases in the past. Huk is out of surgery and is recovering, JSO says.

Read: How to help 2 K9s involved in escape and capture of murder suspect Patrick McDowell

After Huk was shot, police exchanged gunfire with the suspects. JSO says two suspects were found dead inside the vehicle after the shootout. Their cause of death will be determined after a medical exam.

The last suspect was treated for injuries sustained during the vehicle crash. None of the suspects have been identified at this time.

For about two hours, JSO told people to shelter in place as they searched for the suspects near Zoo Parkway and Busch Drive. Around 4:30 p.m. JSO said the scene had “stabilized.”

Action News Jax is following this developing story with live updates below:

UPDATE 8:30 p.m. Police are expected to hold a briefing with additional information at 9:15 p.m. Action News Jax will keep you updated with the latest information.

UPDATE, 5:02 p.m.: The lockdown at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been lifted. The zoo was on lockdown as police searched for the suspect.

UPDATE, 4:44 p.m.: A source tells Action News Jax that the K-9 officer shot is named Huk. He has been involved in high-profile cases, such as the search for Patrick McDowell, a suspect who killed a Nassau County deputy in September 2021.

His brother, Chaos, was shot during the pursuit of McDowell.

Huk also helped take down a suspect during a January SWAT callout on Jacksonville’s Southside.

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UPDATE, 4:34 p.m.: Sources tell Action News Jax that two people are dead.

UPDATE, 4:28 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the incident scene “has stabilized.” Police said it is now safe to move about if you have been sheltering in place.

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UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Action News Jax received images of a K9 being airlifted near the officer-involved incident.

Sources tell us the K9 was shot. Action News Jax is working to learn more.

ORIGINAL STORY, 2:35 p.m.:

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has issued a shelter in place order for an area of North Jacksonville due to an “officer-involved incident.”

JSO is asking people to avoid the area of Zoo Parkway and Busch Drive due to a heavy police presence.

JSO said there continues to be an active search for an armed suspect in this area.

JSO is asking people to avoid this area. If you are in the area, JSO is asking that you shelter in place.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is no longer locked down as of 5:30 p.m. During the time of the investigation, anyone in or out of the park was not allowed to leave -- as they cooperate with JSO’s investigation.

Ambulances, including vehicles licensed to transport injured humans, can be used to transport injured law enforcement K9s as long as there are no humans who need to be transported first.

The people are also trained to treat K9s as well as humans.

This is a developing story. Action News Jax will have the latest details as soon as they become available.

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