The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has identified the man fatally shot by officers during a police encounter last night as 28-year-old Alquan V. Suydam.
The incident, which unfolded in a tense confrontation involving three JSO officers, is now under investigation, with new information revealing that Suydam had been at the center of another domestic-related call just two days prior.
According to police, the shooting occurred during a response to a reported domestic disturbance. Officers arrived at the scene following a 911 call that escalated into a confrontation with Suydam.
While full details of the interaction have yet to be released pending an internal review and the completion of body-worn camera footage analysis, authorities confirmed that three officers discharged their weapons during the encounter, striking and ultimately killing Suydam.
JSO stated that officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the circumstances forced them to respond with deadly force. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol in cases involving officer-involved shootings.
Their identities have not yet been made public, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has joined the investigation to ensure a transparent and thorough review.
What has added a deeper layer of concern to this unfolding story is the revelation that Suydam was involved in a separate domestic-related incident just 48 hours before his fatal encounter with police.
On that occasion, officers responded to a call at a different location involving a heated dispute, reportedly between Suydam and a family member. While that incident did not result in any arrests or violence at the time, police have confirmed it was a significant factor in how they approached last night’s call, viewing it through the lens of a potentially escalating pattern.
“We were aware of the previous domestic incident,” said a JSO spokesperson during a press briefing. “Any history of prior conflict or threats helps inform the approach officers take in responding to potentially volatile situations. Our goal is always to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including our officers and the community.”
Friends and family members of Suydam are now grappling with his sudden death and the circumstances surrounding it. While some are calling for answers and a more in-depth investigation into how events escalated so quickly, others are reflecting on Suydam’s life and struggles. According to those close to him, he was a complex individual facing personal challenges but was also deeply loved by those around him.
“He wasn’t perfect, but he was trying,” said a friend who asked to remain anonymous. “He had a big heart and was dealing with a lot. I just wish there had been another way. Now we’ll never get to see who he could’ve become.”
The shooting has once again reignited conversations in Jacksonville and beyond about the handling of domestic violence-related calls and the role mental health may play in such encounters.
Advocates are urging city officials and law enforcement agencies to invest more heavily in crisis intervention training, de-escalation tactics, and support services that can reduce the likelihood of violent outcomes.
“We must do better as a community to prevent situations like this,” said one local community leader. “Whether it’s mental health support, domestic violence counseling, or stronger police-community relations, we have a responsibility to take a hard look at how we respond to these emergencies.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has promised transparency as the investigation continues and has pledged to release body camera footage and an incident timeline once it is legally permissible. In the meantime, the family of Alquan V. Suydam is left mourning a tragic loss and searching for answers in a case that raises as many questions as it does sorrow.
