Deputy Justified In Shooting Unarmed Suspect At Apartment Complex

December 13, 2012

An investigation has determined that an Escambia County deputy was justified in shooting Justin Coon in September at an apartment complex on Olive Road.

Escambia County Deputy Daniel Moore was attempting to serve felony warrants on 27-year old Justin Coon of Pensacola at the Hidden Village Town Homes in the 3600 block of East Olive Road, near 9th Avenue, when the shooting occurred.

According to a State Attorney’s Office report, deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office TAC Unit spotted Coon in the apartment complex. He refused orders to stop and ran back inside his dimly lit apartment. Deputies gave chase, and Moore observed Coon raised a dark object in his hand that Moore believed to be a weapon. Moore fired a single shot, striking Coon in the hand and chest.

The object in Coon’s hand was a cell phone. An investigation determined that Coon pointed the phone, which in the dim light Moore believed to be a gun, in the deputy’s direction. Coon survived his injuries.

At the time of the shooting, Coon was wanted on several outstanding felony warrants, including  battery, interference with custody and probation violations. He as also charged with resisting arrest without violence.

Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles line Olive Road tonight near 9th Avenue on September 5 following an office involved shooting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News