Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer survives dangerous encounter

Jacksonville, FL — A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer walks out of the hospital to applause from many of his colleagues after he’s shot by a robbery suspect. Officer Luis Mercado was shot in the leg while responding to an armed robbery at a Family Dollar on Soutel Drive. The suspect was killed after being shot by the officer. JSO says the suspect could not have bought the gun legally because of his long criminal history. JSO has not publicly identified the suspect yet.

NEW THIS MORNING: Jacksonville police have identified the suspect as 20-year-old Jamari Rashaud Akins.

FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Hot afternoon with a few storms developing. Feels like temperatures will top out just above 100 degrees this afternoon. The morning hours will be mainly dry in Jacksonville with a few showers and storms developing after 3 pm. Storms will be capable of heavy rain and lightning. The coverage of the storms should be less than yesterday.

Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says some neighborhoods saw 3-4″+ of rainfall yesterday. Heat continues this week with highs each day into the 90s and a daily chances for some afternoon thunderstorms. Feels like temperatures will be 100+. This weekend will be hot in the lower 90s with a few afternoon storms.

THREE BIG THINGS TO KNOW:

The Supreme Court has refused to allow Florida to enforce an immigration law making it a crime for people who are living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state. The high court’s action will keep the law on hold while a legal challenge continues. The court did not explain its decision and no justice noted a dissent. In April, Jacksonville was the first city in the nation to enact a law that makes it a crime with jail sentences for someone to enter or reside in the city while being in the country illegally. The city’s law mirrors the Florida law.

Florida’s Republican and Democratic state lawmakers and Congressional members have been invited to tour Alligator Alcatraz. The invite, sent by the state Division of Emergency Management, comes after a group of Democratic state lawmakers, including local State Representative Angie Nixon, attempted to tour the facility last week. They were denied entry. Some Democrats say this sanitized tour is not real oversight. Still, the lawmakers say they’ll accept the invitation, but they also plan to return for an unannounced visit.

An absolute mess along the Duval/Nassau County line. A pickup truck hauling a camper crashed on the overpass to the Nassau River just after 1:00 pm Wednesday, causing it to overturn and back up traffic for hours. Both the driver and passenger, who are from Savannah, had serious injuries. FHP says the pickup hydroplaned, causing it to overturn and the trailer broke apart after hitting the side of the overpass.

You hear him weekdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm daily. Brian Kilmeade is taking a break from his ‘summer retreat’ in St. Johns County to join Jacksonville’s Morning News with his insight into Florida rain vs. New York storms and why he says ICE is under attack from within.

SPOTLIGHT: Looking for things to do this weekend? The Jumbo Shrimp host the Norfolk Tides for a baseball series. If you’re a fan of comics and graphic novels, check out the First Coast Comic Con at the Herbert Center at UNF. If music is your thing - The Jacksonville Rock Orchestra presents the music of Fleetwood Mac ad the Florida Theatre, and the Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA show rocks the Moran Theatre. Looking for some family fun? Check out Jurassic Quest at the Prime Osborn for great dinosaur adventures.

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