The FBI joined Flagler County Sheriff’s investigators today at the Daytona North property of a sheriff’s deputy at the center of a shooting that injured an 11-year-old boy on a neighboring property the evening of Aug. 27.
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Bryan “Scotty” Jackson and his daughter Kailen, a new recruit with the agency, were target-shooting in the backyard of Jackson’s property at the corner of Mahogany Boulevard and Elder Street. They were using an AR-15 that Kailen had just received from the agency when a bullet Jackson says he fired traveled halfway up the block to the property at 1288 Hazelnut Street and struck the boy, who was in his room. The bullet grazed the boy’s neck, burning him. The bullet was traced to the AR-15. (See: “Rifle Bullet From Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputies’ Target-Shooting in Mondex Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy.”)
The presence of the FBI today suggests the investigation, already elaborate in the days immediately following the shooting (when sheriff’s detectives swarmed over the property and its surroundings), reflects the seriousness of the case, and appears to be living up to the sheriff’s pledge at the time that he would not spare any resource or hesitate to call on other agencies to get at the facts of the case. The FBI has means and methods to investigate certain cases that may not be readily at a local agency’s disposal.
“This investigation continues to be ongoing,” Sheriff’s Chief Mark Strobridge said late this afternoon, when asked about today’s developments. A reporter had seen a cluster of law enforcement still at the property a little after 2 p.m., with several unmarked cars parked along Elder Street, along the deputy’s property, with a couple of emergency cones set out.
“Sheriff Staly in the beginning of this investigation directed that no stone be unturned as we find the truth and the complete circumstances surrounding this incident,” Strobridge continued. “We will continue to use all resources that are available to us until we get to the truth. At the conclusion of the criminal investigation, we’ll conduct our internal review.”
The Sheriff’s Office’s internal affairs investigations always follow any criminal inquiry, if there is one. There is no timeline, Strobridge said. “It takes as long as it takes.”
Meanwhile both Jacksons remain on the force in their regular duties–Bryan in the Community Engagement division, which does not entail road patrol, and Kailen as a road patrol trainee, since her training is not over. That lasts six to eight weeks. She would have been in the earlier part of her training when she got the rifle, and around the time of the incident.
Recruits who come out of the academy go through an in-house academy at the Sheriff’s Office, designed to prepare them for every aspect of the job, from weapons qualifications to use of force policies to report-writing. Recruits then spend several weeks with various patrol training officers. Weapon certification is among the required milestones. “I can’t say with any great certainty” whether Kailen Jackson had met that milestone yet, Strobridge said. “It should have been already completed.”
Strobridge was asked several questions about the nature and breadth of the investigation but either did not have the information that would answer the questions or would not answer them since, either way, the investigation is ongoing, and such questions wouldn’t be answered at this stage regardless. Asked for instance, whether anything was seized at the property today, he said “that type of information at this point would not be releasable.”
It is more likely that the FBI was called in to reconstruct the shooting, as that has been a puzzling question from day one: how can an AR-15 bullet cross a half block of trees and scrub and penetrate the neighboring house. It is also an indication of the power of the rifle. The position of the berm Jackson built in the backyard is in the northeast corner of the property, so the shooting would be taking place in a generally northerly or slight northeasterly direction, depending on where the shooter is positioned.
Earlier today, law enforcement personnel was in the woods, analyzing the scene, as anyone driving down Elder Street or passing by Mahogany might have noticed.
“I don’t know who all the players were at the property today and all the resources that were involved,” he said. He wasn’t there himself. “I know that if there were people out there working, it’s just a continuation of the investigation.”
Strobridge repeatedly said that every resource is being used, and that the sheriff doesn’t want to be any room for doubt with the findings “on what actually happened on that scene.”
Anonimus says
Isn’t this the same officer that hid his son’s car after a fatal hit and run accident on US1? As before, this investigation will just show who is above the laws and who gets protected again. Let’s see if Staly will actually go against one of his officers in a matter that should never have happened as I believe it was against the law to be shooting out there with the weapons that they had.
S. Peters says
This is OUTRAGIOUS!
Shark says
Multi million law suit coming at the taxpayers expense !!!
jim says
When i worked for the Sheriff he had a NO nepotism policy and was adamant about it… guess he changed his mind and it came back to bite him in the ass!!!
DaleL says
I am glad that Sheriff Staly and now the FBI are taking this incident seriously. After not reading of any further developments since August 30, I started to think that maybe nothing was going to be done.
People who shoot a firearm, whether hunting or target shooting, have an obligation not to endanger others. Florida statute 790.15 (1) states that a person who negligently discharges a firearm outdoors on a property, which is zoned for residential use, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. The property is zoned residential and deputy Jackson’s bullet left his property, damaged another person’s property, and endangered a child.
Second, from the August 30th FlaglerLive story, it appears that Deputy Jackson committed perjury, during his testimony at his son’s sentencing in the car hit-and-run case. Jackson said he was in Miami and testified: “One of the FBI agents was murdered and we went and did his funeral,…;” From the story: “In fact there was no funeral involving an FBI agent in Miami–or anywhere in Florida–in 2022, the year of the hit-and-run.”
Public trust in local law enforcement depends on officers who can be trusted. Based on what I have read, I do not trust Officer Jackson.
Greg says
I believe that in the early stages of this, it was stated that only handguns were allowed to be shot outvthere? Now there seems to be no mention off that.
John Stove says
Why in the holy hell are they shooting a Military Spec weapon anywhere near a residential area? Even in an area with large lots and woods the bullet can travel well beyond the intended area.
The bullet can also penetrate a sand berm unless you hit the berm at center mass.
According to NATO standards, a bullet ceases to be lethal when its kinetic energy drops below 85 Joule. Crunching the numbers for a standard 55-grain bullet exiting an AR-15 barrel at about 3,200 feet per second, this equates to a maximum range of approximately 3,000 yards, or about 1.7 miles.
Sparks says
That’s why we have gun ranges!!! The bullet has to go somewhere. Just terrible.
Me says
This officer needs more than weapons training, how about common sense also.
I wouldn’t trust this person with any form of weapon. Careless is the word to use for this officer and they need to fine another occupation before someone gets killed.
Taxpayer says
He should be fired immediately, and his daughter as well… The should be charged and prosecuted… He knew better but he feels like he’s above the law and he can do whatever he wants…..
Whoknew says
What’s puzzling is they both still working … the daughter is in field training and to be honest her training should be frozen until this is complete … this guy is in community engagement which is a joke in itself because it does reflect the diversity of the county … 2 old white men talking about engaging the public and community involvement … yeah right
Remove them! says
Like the other people commenting- same Officer who lied on the stand for his kid involved in the hit and run. WHY IS HE STILL GETTING TAX PAYER DOLLARS? He should be on unpaid leave status immediately! Definitely “above the law”- and his daughter should be put on unpaid leave too! It is ridiculous that Staly is allowing this!! Whether she is in training or he works for Community Engagement-they were shooting guns in an area they shouldn’t have. Since he will lie for his kids, more than likely he is protecting her.
Can we remove this whole family from our Flagler Law Enforcement, please? I DO NOT trust them AT ALLLLLL!
Jim says
I’m glad to see that the police are putting in all this effort to thoroughly investigate this shooting. I don’t understand the criticism of Staly. I don’t think he can control the FBI nor it’s findings so, to me, that is a clear indication that he wants this investigation to be completely clean and above board.
In today’s environment, I think we need to take a minute and acknowledge ethical and transparent actions on the part of any elected official. This really appears to be “do the right thing” and that’s in very short supply now. I commend Staley and the Flagler County Sheriff’s office.
PaulT says
Who, in their right mind, test fires an AR-15 in a backyard range surrounded by other occupied properties. It’s a military spin off firearm with a killing range of at least 500 yards whether chambered for .223 or 5.56.
Doesn’t the Sheriff’s Department have a proper range or at least an arrangement with a gun club, thus proper berms and some notions of safety? Surely deputies should be the local lead in firearms safety ?
Jay Tomm says
“Why in the holy hell are they shooting a Military Spec weapon anywhere near a residential area?”
OH GOOD!!! PLEASE………………….
Learn what a AR15 is before you talk.
Jf says
Finally the FBI. I’m just assuming it’s because RICK! Wouldn’t get off his ego addicted ass and do something.
Kennan says
Our gun culture makes it possible for this bullshit to happen. Honestly, nobody should have a military grade, multi magazine, high capacity weapon of any kind.
You wanna get your rocks off? Shoot your weapons in a gun range and then return them and leave.
Responsible gun ownership. I just don’t have that much faith in that. There are a lot of really good cops out there, but this type of thing is really embarrassing.
If the NRA acted more like a gun, safety association, and less like an arms dealer, it would make life easier for cops as well as the public.
Atwp says
Is this the person who helped his son during the hit and run recently. A boy is shot. This guy is still working. Talk about a certain privilege, look like he has it. Hum I wonder what is going to happen. As usual time will tell. Hope the boy is ok.
Skibum says
I agree with you, Kennan. Now we all have to be extra vigilant and cautious just to go to Publix to pick up a carton of eggs. I know eggs and other groceries have gotten expensive, but jeez, some people think they have to haul around their weaponry and show everyone they are armed to the teeth like they have walked into Fort Knox looking for gold bars?
How are normal people with common sense supposed to know if Bubba or Joe Bob in aisle 6 is a good guy with a gun or a bad guy with a gun??? For that matter, if law enforcement has to respond to Publix for some type of call and observes guys with little weenies but BIG guns on them, how are they supposed to know???
There is another article on FlaglerLive just today about a retired LEO who was qualifying at the sheriff’s shooting range and accidently shot himself in the leg while holstering his weapon, so even experienced, trained officers are capable of having accidents with firearms that injure themselves and/or others. I simply do not trust people with weapons who I do not personally know. That’s just me.
Our gun culture society is bad enough, but here in the “gunshine state” you can bet it will be even more bonkers! Our crazy FL legislature and govie numb nuts LOVE to have people carry guns… except near them. Go figure.
John Stove says
Hey Jay Tomm:
The AR-15 is closely related to the military M16 and M4 carbine rifles, which all share the same core design. Invented by infantry rifle designer Eugene Stoner in 1956 for use in the 7.62 NATO caliber
The semi-automatic civilian AR-15 was introduced by Colt in 1963. The primary distinction between the civilian semi-automatic rifles and the military assault rifles is select fire. Military models are produced with multiple firing modes: semi-automatic fire, fully automatic fire mode and/or burst fire mode, in which the rifle fires multiple rounds in succession when the trigger is depressed a single time.
So yes……Military Spec
The Jojo says
I used to live in the Mondex area and target shooting is a fairly common practice out there. I lived there for the better part of 30 years, and there were multiple private shooting ranges, and for the most part were used safely. I think a few things should be recognized: First, there are obviously different sides to the gun ownership and usage argument, and there will probably never be any common ground agreed to. It boils down very simply, there are “gun” people, and “no guns” people. It’s been my experience that you will find more gun supporters out in the country (which is where the Mondex is) than you will in the city, again, for obvious reasons. People move to the country for a variety of reasons, but mainly to be able to live a “more free” lifestyle, which includes anti HOA sentiment, being able to piss on a tree in your own back yard, ride off road vehicles on the roads, and yes, shoot guns. Like it or not, that is the reality of the country life.
I’ve not followed the tribulations of this particular officer, but having lived there, I can say that most everyone out there (the Mondex, or any “country community”) who are gun enthusiasts, are so safely. I think this particular incident should not be fodder for the guns/no guns issue, but more of a gun owner competency and safety issue. You would think if this man was a law enforcement officer, he would be better trained and held to a higher standard of responsibility. It appears to me that this incident is his fault entirely, as guns have been used recreationally out there safely for as long as I can remember.
The issues are of course, all inter-related. This can easily be turned into the guns/no guns argument, but that argument should be applied with a more global mindset. It appears to me that there are way more shootings, either accidental or on purpose in the general Palm Coast area than there are out in the country. This particular incident should be approached independently of the political argument. Argue the politics of the gun ownership issue in it’s own theater; this incident was the result of the poor actions, (and apparently the poor skill level) of one person. And for the record, you could shoot a bazooka (figuratively speaking) out there, or a .22 revolver. Each will harm or kill very effectively, so that it was an AR-15 is kind of irrelevant.
I sit firmly on the fence of gun ownership, mainly for the exact reason this incident occurred. I feel it is my right to possess whatever tools I think are appropriate to protect my family, my property and my life (you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight) however, I do believe some type of protections or restrictions should be arrived at so avoidable incidents such as this never occur. I sincerely hope the greater minds of our society (if there are any left these days…) are able to engineer a sound policy that protects our rights, and more importantly, our lives and our families.
bill says
Number one that is not a berm it’s a pile of sand dumped from a wheelbarrow. Why is the FBI investigating this bullshit shooting when there’s no federal crime ? The whole family is dysfunctional fired them all daughter and father the other one’s in prison where he belongs I just don’t understand why the FBI is involved in this and not FDLE. The Flagler County gun club has 17 to 20 feet high berms and still some idiot shot over the berm and now we have to have Range Manager‘s when there are shooters at the 100 and 200 yard ranges. I think the sheriffs department needs to be investigated by an outside federal agency. I think Staley is time for him to leave close to over 40 years plus how long do you wanna stay there get a life.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
They should all be fired and should have been the moment the negligent non kosher incident immediately ..
not 2 months later,.
It is revolting how much showmanship has taken over this department. How much does he train his deputies? How much does he pay them versus his toys? Sorry Sheriff – I am not frightened of you anymore, I obey the law – the real law as written 24/7. How about you I wonder…