Suspect dies in fire after deputy-involved shooting

Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
On Tuesday, June 22, at approximately 6:15 p.m., deputies responded to 9418 NE 69th Avenue regarding a domestic incident and the Violation of a Pretrial Release Injunction. Upon their arrival, the suspect had armed himself with a large knife and large screwdriver. He raised the knife in a threatening manner to throw it at deputies. They fired at the suspect, and he retreated inside the home.
Deputies began making announcements for the suspect to come out of the residence and placed medical personnel on stand-by. They could occasionally see movement within the home, but the suspect refused to exit. Around 8 p.m., deputies began to see smoke and flames coming from inside. Firefighters began trying to get water on the fire to provide the suspect an escape route, as he could still be seen moving around inside. The fire eventually overtook the entire structure.
The suspect’s identity will be released pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. Because deputies were involved in the shooting, the investigation into the events and timeline that led to it will be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The State Fire Marshal will conduct the fire investigation. As a matter of policy, the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an investigation into whether the policies of the Sheriff’s Office were followed. The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the parallel investigations.