- BSO Case Number:
- 15-2207-001586
- Jurisdiction:
- North Lauderdale
- Place of Occurrence:
- 1700 block of South State Road 7, North Lauderdale.
- Victim(s):
- State of Florida
- Suspect(s):
- Mervel Jones Jr., 28, 4/13/1994, male, at large (DECEASED)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a deadly deputy-involved shooting after a suspect fired at deputies early Saturday morning.
At approximately 7:39 a.m., on Saturday, July 23, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 1700 block of South State Road 7 in North Lauderdale. When deputies encountered the suspect, Mervel Jones Jr., they attempted to speak with him and deescalate the situation. That’s when Jones produced a firearm and immediately fired at deputies, grazing one of the deputies in the head. Deputies returned fire, striking him. The suspect was transported to Broward Health Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The deputy who was struck was also transported to an area hospital and is expected to recover.
“Fortunately, the subject did not kill one of our deputies. A millimeter to the left on the deputy’s head and this would have been a very different day. We are talking about a 20-year veteran deputy whose life would have been taken. Thankfully, that was not the case,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said.
BSO’s Homicide Unit detectives, Crime Scene Unit investigators and Internal Affairs investigators responded to the scene. FDLE is the lead investigating agency, and per BSO policy, the deputies who fired their guns were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
INVESTIGATORS:
Homicide Det. J. Curcio, Det. Z. Scott, CID
Homicide Det. I. Kuechler, Det. S. Cottam, CID
THIS REPORT BY:
Carey Codd/Sr. PIO
Miranda Grossman/PIO
Homicide Sgt. P. Reynolds, CID July 24, 2022 1600
Homicide Lt. S. Feeley, CID
Crime Scene; BSO IA; FDLE
North Lauderdale; NLFR