JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida mother’s decision to confront a predator she claims was sexting her 13-year-old daughter resulted in him being shot by police on Monday morning.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief Alan Parker held a press conference on Monday to discuss the officer-involved shooting.
According to JSO Sheriff T.K. Waters and Chief of Investigations Alan Parker, the mother of a 13-year-old girl discovered her daughter’s illicit text contact with an 18-year-old male.
That’s when the mother started texting the suspect and eventually scheduled a meeting for 7 a.m. Monday at a Popeyes restaurant.
The mother was joined by her two children, a 13-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, when she confronted the armed suspect.
The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Cerry Banks, then displayed the gun and stated, “When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up,” according to the sheriff’s office.
During the press conference, officers stated that the mother grabbed her children and entered the restaurant as the suspect walked behind the establishment. The mother called the sheriff’s office from Popeyes to report the incident.
When authorities got on the site, they discovered the suspect behind the building. One officer insisted that the suspect turn around and display his hands, but he refused.
The suspect then left the scene.
As the officer following him approached the corner of the store, he discovered the suspect with a revolver drawn from his belt.
According to the sheriff’s office, after several instructions to stop and drop the weapon were ignored, the officer fired multiple shots at the subject.
The suspect fled the area but left the gun at a nearby shop.
Officers eventually established a perimeter in the area and arrested the perpetrator. After being hit by gunfire “multiple times,” he was brought to an area hospital in “stable condition,” according to information presented during the press conference.
Source: Mom Alleges Man Was Sexting Her 13-year-old Daughter; Meeting at Popeyes Led to Officer-involved Shooting
Source: Mom says man was sexting 13-year-old daughter, meeting at Popeyes led to officer-involved shooting
