Jacksonville sheriff calls for peace, calm as tensions rise following police shooting

Jacksonville city leaders are calling for peace as tensions rise over a police-involved shooting in Springfield Sunday.

“We stand together today to promote peaceful dialogue in our community,” Sheriff Mike Williams said during a meeting at Embassy Fellowship Church in Springfield Friday.

Many people have been demanding answers after a Jacksonville Sheriff's officer shot 22-year-old Vernell Bing Jr. after Bing led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car.

Bing was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

He later died from his wounds.

Williams said while the protests have remained peaceful, he wanted to address community concerns to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

“It was really just an opportunity for us to stand together and to get ahead of that,” Williams said.

Faith leaders, community members and law enforcement officials attended the meeting.

“The most important thing is that the answers are provided,” Rev. John Guns said. “We want to make sure justice is served.”

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Williams said some details into the shooting cannot be released right now because the investigation is ongoing.

Williams said he vows transparency once it's complete and the details can be released.

Williams said he stands behind JSO’s policy to internally investigate the shooting.

“We want the decisions about this case that impact our community made in our community, not made in Tallahassee,” Williams said.

Mayor Lenny Curry said he stands by Williams and JSO’s policy.

“The sheriff is the top law enforcement officer in the city of Jacksonville and the consolidated county," Curry said. "He’s elected by the people and we work together. We work together. I believe in his process. I say let the JSO and the man that leads it do his job.”

But not everyone felt Friday night’s remarks were enough.

Some people shouted, “We exercise our right to protest,” and walked out of the meeting.

Biko Misabiko was one of those protesters.

Misabiko has been protesting in Springfield over the last week and said he felt law enforcement should directly talk to the community, one on one.

“Come where the people at,” Misabiko said. “Where the families are sitting at. We are peaceful. We might express our anger, but when it comes to having a dialogue with mutual understanding, we will have one.”

Cox Media Group