Jerome Allen, 22, was shot and killed on February 6, 2017, on West 5th Street in Jacksonville during an undercover narcotics operation. Allen approached an undercover vehicle containing three detectives and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at one of them. A detective inside the vehicle fired multiple shots, striking Allen in the chest and arm. He was taken to UF Health Jacksonville, where he later died from his wounds.

The weapon Allen had was later identified as a replica gun. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the City of Jacksonville, Sheriff Mike Williams, and the three undercover detectives, alleging negligence and excessive force and disputing parts of the police account. Controversy intensified when the detectives removed beer cans from the vehicle before other investigators arrived; they were charged with tampering with evidence and conspiracy, and Sheriff Williams said the action violated protocol and compromised the investigation. The family’s legal case was ongoing as they sought accountability while officers maintained the shooting was in self-defense during an attempted robbery.

If anyone has information about the events on West 5th Street that night or knew Jerome Allen, please share what you know.