ACSO: Man shot by deputies threatened to blow up a Tallahassee synagogue

Press release from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On the evening of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Patrol Operations Division received an Ex-Parte Order for Mr. Ali Bayhan under Florida’s Baker Act, ordering an involuntary mental health evaluation. The order was issued based on sworn testimony from Mr. Bayhan’s family, who expressed significant concerns regarding his mental well-being and the possibility that he was in possession of a firearm.

Patrol Deputies and Supervisors reviewed the information provided by Mr. Bayhan’s family, which was included with the Ex-Parte Order. After identifying several concerning details, they consulted with ACSO Warrants Unit Supervisors. Based on Mr. Bayhan’s mental health status, the belief that he was armed, the layout of the location, and the fact that it was late in the evening, it was determined that service of the Ex-Parte Order would be deferred to the following morning and handled by the ACSO Warrants Unit.

Shortly after this decision, ACSO Communications received a call from a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Supervisory Agent requesting contact from a Patrol Operations Watch Commander. During that call, the Watch Commander was advised of additional information, including recent threats made by Mr. Bayhan to harm law enforcement, specific threats to “blow up” a Jewish synagogue, and threats to harm several elected officials. This information was relayed to the ACSO Warrants Unit and further supported the decision to wait until daylight hours to attempt service of the Ex-Parte Order.

On the morning of Thursday, November 6, 2025, the ACSO Warrants Unit began gathering intelligence on Mr. Bayhan to develop a plan that would allow him to be taken into custody as safely as possible. During this process, Investigators were in contact with FDLE and learned that criminal charges for terroristic threats were forthcoming. Throughout the day, Investigators conducted continuous surveillance on a residence at 1405 NW 35th Way, where Mr. Bayhan was known to be renting a garage-style apartment. Investigators hoped that Mr. Bayhan would leave the residence so he could be safely taken into custody away from any firearms or dangerous weapons. He did not leave the residence at any point.

In the late afternoon, Investigators were notified by FDLE that a warrant for terroristic threats, made to a Tallahassee synagogue, had been issued for Mr. Bayhan. They also learned that the U.S. Marshals Service would assist ACSO Warrants Investigators in taking him into custody.

Investigators and U.S. Marshals developed a plan to surround the residence and use a PA system to provide loud verbal commands instructing Mr. Bayhan to exit and surrender. The plan included the use of two fully-marked ACSO patrol vehicles to ensure it was clear to Mr. Bayhan that the personnel on scene were law enforcement.

At approximately 3:03 p.m., Investigators and U.S. Marshals arrived at the residence and began issuing PA announcements. Within one minute, a male — believed to be Mr. Bayhan — exited the garage in an erratic manner, holding a black object in his left hand and wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up. Mr. Bayhan was yelling unintelligible statements and then transferred the black object, later determined to be a cell phone, into his right hand and pointed it toward Deputies, appearing to film them. He then lifted the bottom of his sweatshirt, exposing a handgun clearly visible in his waistband.

K9 Deputies on scene deployed a K9 toward Mr. Bayhan in an attempt to apprehend him. Mr. Bayhan backed away and reached down toward the handgun in his waistband. The K9 was recalled and redeployed in another attempt to apprehend him. Mr. Bayhan again reached down, grabbed the handgun, and appeared to be pulling the weapon when six ACSO Deputies and two U.S. Marshals discharged their service weapons. Mr. Bayhan was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.

Deputies immediately requested emergency medical personnel and, once the scene was safe, attempted to render medical aid. Upon the arrival of paramedics, Mr. Bayhan was pronounced deceased on scene.

As with all incidents involving the use of deadly force by an ACSO Deputy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was contacted and responded to conduct an independent investigation.

In accordance with standard procedure, the six ACSO Deputies who discharged their service weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Please note that the information in this release is preliminary and reflects what is known at this time. As the investigation continues, some details may change.