Jacksonville Officer Shoots Hatchet-Wielding Man

 

Jacksonville, Florida — April 21, 2022: An armed confrontation in a wooded area of Jacksonville ended in a fatal police shooting after a suspect refused to comply with officers' commands and brandished a weapon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).

The incident began in the early morning hours, just before 4:00 a.m., when officers were dispatched to the 7200 block of Morse Avenue following reports of an armed man making threats in the neighborhood. The call, made by concerned residents, alerted police to a potential danger in the area involving a suspect believed to be carrying a weapon.

Responding officers canvassed the area but were initially unable to locate the individual. Despite their efforts, the suspect could not be found at the time, and the search was suspended temporarily. However, law enforcement maintained a presence in the neighborhood and remained on alert for any updates or renewed activity.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., a second call was received by dispatch. Neighbors once again reported suspicious activity, stating that the same man appeared to be in the area, this time seen moving through a wooded lot behind nearby residences. Officers promptly returned to the location, where they were able to make contact with the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Kevin Mahan.

Upon locating Mahan in the wooded area, officers observed that he was armed with an axe. According to Sheriff T.K. Waters—who was JSO’s Chief of Investigations at the time—officers immediately took a defensive posture due to the nature of the threat and began issuing verbal commands in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

Body-worn camera footage later released to the public showed the tense encounter unfold in real time. An officer, with his firearm drawn, repeatedly shouted for Mahan to drop the weapon. The footage captured the officer’s urgent tone as he yelled commands such as “Drop the axe!” multiple times while keeping a safe distance.

Despite these repeated warnings, Mahan refused to comply. The video shows him holding the axe upright next to his head, ignoring commands and remaining stationary. According to law enforcement, the situation rapidly escalated as officers feared for their safety and the safety of others in the vicinity.

After several warnings and no change in Mahan’s behavior, the officer discharged his firearm, striking Mahan with a single shot. Officers moved in cautiously and quickly assessed the scene, calling for emergency medical services. Unfortunately, Mahan was pronounced deceased at the scene. The axe was recovered nearby.

No officers were injured during the incident. Authorities emphasized that all de-escalation efforts were exhausted before the use of lethal force became necessary.

The case sparked public discussion about police use of force and mental health responses. Sheriff Waters addressed the media shortly after the incident, stating that the officer acted in accordance with department policy and based his decision on an immediate threat. “It’s always tragic when an encounter ends in the loss of life,” Waters said, “but our officers must make split-second decisions to protect themselves and the community.”

As with all officer-involved shootings, the incident triggered an internal investigation, along with a review by the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether the use of force was justified under Florida law. The officer involved was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure during such investigations.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues to work with community leaders to maintain transparency and foster dialogue about public safety. Officials also urged anyone with additional information about Mahan or the events leading up to the confrontation to contact their office.

The investigation remains ongoing, and a final report will be released once all evidence, including bodycam footage and forensic analysis, is reviewed by independent authorities.