Off-Duty Jacksonville Corrections Officer Fatally Shot in Apparent Domestic Dispute; Suspect at Large
Jacksonville, FL — An off-duty Jacksonville corrections officer was fatally shot early Saturday morning during a violent domestic dispute at a Love’s gas station near Jacksonville International Airport. Sheriff T.K. Waters announced that the suspect, who remains unidentified, fled the scene, prompting a nationwide manhunt.
The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. at the gas station located on Duval Road and International Airport Boulevard. Witnesses reported seeing a violent altercation between a Black male suspect and a White female inside a black Mustang parked near the gas pumps. The suspect was seen exiting the vehicle from the passenger side, walking around to the driver’s side, and placing a handgun on the hood before forcefully pulling the woman out of the driver’s seat. He then threw her against the car and onto the ground.
Corrections officer Brad McNew, a 24-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, had just finished his shift and stopped at the gas station. Hearing the commotion, McNew reportedly approached to check on the woman’s welfare. According to Sheriff Waters, McNew asked if she was alright, to which the suspect allegedly responded that it was “family business.”
Witnesses say the argument continued, with tensions escalating. At one point, the suspect reportedly raised his gun at McNew but did not fire. The woman then attempted to restrain the man, and the two eventually re-entered the vehicle, with the woman in the driver’s seat. As they sped away, the suspect leaned out of the window and fired multiple shots, fatally wounding McNew.
Emergency services transported McNew to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Sheriff Waters confirmed that McNew, who was not in uniform, acted in good faith to assist the woman and did not initiate any aggressive interaction with the suspect.
Authorities say the entire incident unfolded in less than five minutes, during which time the suspect managed to flee the scene. He was last seen at approximately 2:00 a.m., heading northbound on Main Street toward Nassau County in a black 2000 Ford Mustang with North Carolina license plate RHL4285.
Sheriff Waters has described the suspect as “armed and dangerous,” urging the public not to approach him and instead to report any sightings immediately to law enforcement. “This has turned into a nationwide search, and we have some solid information to work with, including the vehicle tags,” Waters said. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are actively investigating leads, hoping to swiftly apprehend the suspect and bring justice for Officer McNew.
The tragic incident has shaken the Jacksonville community and fellow officers within the JSO, as McNew is remembered for his years of dedicated service. Sheriff Waters extended his condolences to McNew’s family and emphasized the department’s commitment to pursuing the suspect.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information related to the incident or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact them immediately.
