Update: What Pensacola Police Said Led To An Officer Fatally Shooting A Man In Cantonment

June 29, 2023

An officer-involved shooting is under investigation in Cantonment.

The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. on Durant Lane near South Highway 97, just north of West Kingsfield Road.

A Pensacola Police Police Department  officer was investigating a hit and run accident about 2:30 p.m. at Ninth Avenue and Wright Street in the city. Police learned that the vehicle that fled the scene may have been at the home on Durant Lane in Cantonment.

“The officer went to the house and was confronted by a male individual in front of the home. Words were exchanged and a fight began between the male and the officer,” PPD PIO Mike Wood Said. “The officer fired his duty weapon and struck the man. The officer immediately called for an ambulance and additional officers.”

The man was pronounced deceased in or near the driveway in front of the home. The officer received minor injuries during the fight and was treated at a hospital.

For more photos, click or tap here.

As is standard procedure in officer involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall said, “This is an active investigation, and the Pensacola Police Department is cooperating with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office”. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves added “Any incident that results in the loss of life is something we take very seriously. I have complete confidence in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, and I know our Pensacola Police Department is fully cooperating to help ensure a thorough investigation can be completed.”

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said deputies assisted at the scene following the shooting but were not involved in the incident.

NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “Update: What Pensacola Police Said Led To An Officer Fatally Shooting A Man In Cantonment”

  1. TC on June 30th, 2023 7:08 am

    Not anymore Clay, that ended a few years ago. And to clarify, it has nothing to do with politics.

  2. B.G.H.JR on June 29th, 2023 4:59 pm

    I was wondering why such a heavy PPD presence on 297 and Pine Forest road yesterday around 330. I too thought it was odd being this far out in the county but now I know. I’m thinking that “crime investigation” has no boundaries (correct me if I’m wrong) and that’s exactly what this officer was apparently doing. Wow, a loss of life is sad but over a possible hit and run? All the person had to do was own up to this accident (if they were the one who committed such act) and pay whatever came their way. A trip to the morgue wasn’t worth all that. Now their family has to prepare for a funeral…WHY! I support this officer for protecting themselves in this tragic situation. Our police are trained to de escalate situations that may my arise such as this one but if it cannot be calmed down they have the right to protect themselves and this is what happened. It had to have went South quickly and this officer saw no way out other than draw his service firearm and stop the threats they faced. My prayers? Of course I will pray for the soul of the one who passed…that’s just the way I am…I will pray for this persons family because they are the real victims here as well as the Officer who HAD to take a life to protect their own. And, I pray for this Officer as I’m sure they are still trying to wake up/make sense of this ordeal and reliving it over and over. To the Officer, you did what you had to do and I support you. I know this was NOT the way you imagined this investigation to go and you are in my prayers…you did your job and we are all with you on this…prayers for you all.

  3. RC on June 29th, 2023 1:24 pm

    IT DOESNT MATTER, THIS GUY SHOULD FOLLOW THE LAW, HE PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN JEAPORDY, GOOD JOB MR POLCE MAN,

  4. Clay on June 29th, 2023 12:44 pm

    Most city Police Officers have a deputies card for just such action. They are dual certified. When you see Motor Officers escorting funerals in the county that is what allows for taking the families and doing Police work.

  5. Just Saying on June 29th, 2023 12:19 pm

    DLo: Would it have be OK if he had attacked a Deputy? Or would you have sent a Social Worker?

  6. JJ on June 29th, 2023 12:08 pm

    Officer had all the right to follow up leads on a felony hit and run. Likely never thought it would lead the suspects death.

  7. M M on June 29th, 2023 11:19 am

    City Police Department was following up with this individual after a hit n run in Pensacola. Not Escambia County Deputies district.

    In my opinion another motorist got the tag # and called PPD.

    The individual was confrontational with the PPD Officer, acted out with aggression causing the shooting. Answer a few questions, and allow the Officer to check out your vehicle. If he was the actual suspect, then accept it and be ticketed, pay a fine and follow the rules for reporting to the insurance company. What’s so hard about that? That’s not worth a ticket to the funeral home.

    The individual should have never left the scene of an accident or he would be here today.

    He had his reasons for leaving. Only God and himself know that now.

  8. Bewildered on June 29th, 2023 8:32 am

    Why would a confrontation have to occur in the first place? If you have nothing to hide, being questioned in a matter is no big deal

  9. DLo on June 29th, 2023 8:27 am

    Why was PPD conducting business outside the city lines, shouldn’t that have been a deputies job? Does PPD have jurisdiction in the county?