An armed suspect was killed by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies after barricading himself in his apartment Tuesday morning.
At 7:54 a.m., ACSO warrant investigators arrived at 102 NW Ninth Terrace to serve a felony narcotics warrant to the suspect, whom ACSO didn’t name due to ongoing investigation.
Deputies encouraged the suspect to surrender peacefully from where he was barricaded in his apartment bedroom before entering, said Captain Chris Sims of the Alachua County Public Information and Community Services Division.
The suspect’s girlfriend safely exited the building while deputies continued to ask the suspect to come out. According to Sims, a single gunshot was fired from the bedroom toward the deputies.
The first of a series of Gator Safe alerts was released around 8:30 a.m. due to the proximity of UF’s Human Resources, located across the street from the suspect’s apartment. The building was evacuated and used by law enforcement officers.
The Gainesville Police Department and the University of Florida Police Department also arrived on the scene. Law enforcement established a blocked perimeter around the complex on West University Avenue from Eighth Street to 10th Street.
Fire trucks, police cars and ambulances swarmed the secured area while ACSO’s SWAT team attempted to negotiate with the armed suspect.
The apartment building’s five other units were evacuated. Two bedridden residents were taken to an ambulance to avoid the harsh sun, Sims said.
Deputies worked alongside ACSO’s hostage negotiation team to speak with the suspect, he said.
After three hours, the SWAT team released gas into the residence, which Sims described as a “pepper spray-type gas” meant to draw the suspect out.
The suspect fired more gunshots from a window before emerging and pointing a handgun at deputies. One deputy fired and struck the suspect, Sims said.
The suspect was confirmed dead. No officers or residents were injured.
“This is never the result we want,” Sims said. “We always want a peaceful surrender, no matter the circumstances. We never want to take a human life.”
Myra Jammer, a 59-year-old Gainesville resident, lived in the same apartment complex as the suspect. Armed authorities knocked on her door trying to confirm his residence, and she was told to evacuate soon after, she said.
Jammer’s mother, who is bedridden and relies on an oxygen machine, was placed on a stretcher inside an ambulance.
Jammer and nearby residents were left watching the scene from the street. Some stood barefoot, not given enough time to put on shoes in the rush to evacuate.
“I just want to stay safe,” Jammer said. “I don’t understand how it happens.”
Some residents were allowed back into their homes after 1:30 p.m., including Jammer’s mother.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the deputies’ use of deadly force following the standoff, Sims said.
Contact Delia Rose Sauer at drosesauer@alligator.org. Follow her on X @_delia_rose_.
Delia Rose Sauer is a journalism senior and the Summer 2025 Editor-in-Chief. She reported on the university desk for two semesters. When she's not glued to her laptop, she's drawing on Procreate, crocheting or creating a new Spotify playlist.
