9:45 a.m. Wednesday: Police have identified an 18-year-old who opened fire on a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer then killed himself in the middle of a busy Publix parking lot Tuesday afternoon.
Officials say the officer is in critical condition after he was shot several times while carrying groceries to his car.
Thomas Jacob Lewis, 18, has been identified as the shooter. He killed himself after shooting the officer, police said.
11:53 p.m. update: Federal agent targeted by gunman, shot in stomach leaving Oakleaf Publix
6:20 p.m. update: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it transported an agent to the hospital after he was shot at the Oakleaf Publix.
The agency sent Action News Jax a statement saying he is being treated for his wounds at a local hospital.
Full statement:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is assisting in the investigation of a report of an assault against an Air and Marine Operations agent assigned to the National Air Security Operations Center - Jacksonville.
Emergency Medical Services transported the CBP Air and Marine Operations Aviation Enforcement Agent to a nearby hospital where he is being treated for his wounds.
CBP is working closely with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department for the ongoing investigation. CBP has informed its workforce of this report in Florida and has reminded its law enforcement personnel to be alert and aware of their surroundings and potential threats related to their service.
6:05 p.m. update: Clay County deputies say an officer was walking out of Publix with groceries in hand when an 18-year-old shot him several times.
The suspect then shot himself outside the Oakleaf Publix, deputies say. He died at the scene.
Deputies say the motive for the shooting is unclear and they have not yet identified the shooter.
"We're not exactly sure what the motive was behind this. The officer was wearing police clothing, a badge and a shoulder holster," Chief Wayne McKinney said.
Clay county sheriff deputies say officer was shot several times while walking out of Publix. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) September 26, 2017
The suspect had an active warrant for his arrest for sale and delivery of a narcotic, McKinney said.
"There appears to be no previous contact between these two individuals," he said.
The officer was struck in the stomach. He is undergoing surgery and is expected to survive.
"He was carrying his grocery bags caught totally off guard and appeared to be shot from behind," McKinney said.
McKinney said the suspect crashed his car into several other cars in the parking lot. Approximately 30 people witnessed the shooting, deputies said.
Watch Clay County Sheriff's Office briefing on Facebook:
Live: Oakleaf Publix shootingWATCH LIVE: Clay County officials are providing an update on the deadly Publix shooting at Oakleaf: http://bit.ly/2wjhoF5
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, September 26, 2017
1) Update: An officer w Customs & Border Protection was shot today at 3:11. He was walking to his vehicle in Publix parking lot in Oakleaf. pic.twitter.com/EOrP6f9HeL
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
2)Officer was carrying bags of groceries when suspect pulled up beside him &fired several times. Being treated at the hospital.
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
3) Suspect, 18-yr-old white male, then cont down lane & fired what appeared to b self-inflicted wound. He died at the scene.
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
4) Suspect had an active arrest warrant for sale and delivery of narcotics. The investigation continues. #CCSOFL
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
.@ccsofl: Agent was leaving Publix with groceries when he was shot from behind by suspect. Suspect crashed vehicle & shot & killed himself
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) September 26, 2017
UPDATE: A Border Patrol helicopter has landed at the Oakleaf Plantation Publix after one person was killed and a second person was shot outside.
Sources tell Action News Jax that the shooting involves a federal agent. A witness tells Larry Spruill that she saw an officer walking out of the store with bags when someone shot at him.
Person shot, killed at Clay County PublixWATCH LIVE: One person is dead and a second person is injured after a shooting at Publix in Oakleaf, deputies say: http://bit.ly/2wjhoF5
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, September 26, 2017
More than a dozen deputies are investigating after the shooting outside the Publix on Oakleaf Plantation Pkwy.
Another source says there are no outstanding suspects.
#CCSOFL investigating shooting in Oakleaf. One person is dead.
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
Sky Action News Jax and several reporters are at the scene.
Follow @ActionNewsJax on Twitter and watch CBS47 at 5 for the latest information.
PHOTOS: 1 person is dead, another person injured after shooting outside a #Jacksonville area Publix, deputies say https://t.co/lM8445ipwT pic.twitter.com/11C7UdiAp6
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) September 26, 2017
Witness tells me she saw the officer walking out of Publix with bags in his hand, when suspect shot at him. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/LzXFng7Z85
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) September 26, 2017
HAPPENING NOW: Border Patrol helicopter circling Oakleaf Publix. Sources tell us shooting involves federal agent: https://t.co/5Py9ILHQE9 pic.twitter.com/1eTMojR9rE
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) September 26, 2017
#BREAKING: 1 person dead, 1 injured in shooting outside Oakleaf Publix https://t.co/lM8445ipwT pic.twitter.com/p3CPbuRiO3
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) September 26, 2017
UPDATES: Sources say the shooting invovles a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. LIVE report on CBS47 at 5. BREAKING: It happened right outside this Clay County Publix:
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, September 26, 2017
#BREAKING: Sources: U.S. Customs & Border Protection Officer involved in deadly shooting outside Florida Publix #ANjaxBREAKING https://t.co/ODV3vohT0O
— Brandon Williams (@NewsBossBrandon) September 26, 2017
Just spoke to a witness who heard the gun shots as she was walking towards Publix. I’m live at 5:30. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jisUuxBCCq
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) September 26, 2017
Source tells me US Customs officer shot and injured in Orange Park, "No outstanding suspect. " @skyjax1 & Live team coverage @ActionNewsJax
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) September 26, 2017
Border Patrol helicopter lands at Oakleaf Plantation Publix after 1 person was killed, second injured outside store https://t.co/lM8445ipwT pic.twitter.com/dQCg9BQLFT
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) September 26, 2017
Detectives are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of Publix in Oakleaf Plantation. One person is dead. Another is injured. #CCSOFL pic.twitter.com/UyeNHo71Od
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) September 26, 2017
Deputies outside Oakleaf Publix after 1 person killed, second hurt in shooting. Sources say border officer involved https://t.co/cacMb0Vwc1 pic.twitter.com/tnuonusgHO
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) September 26, 2017
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