The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is releasing details and video following an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Gossett Street on the Northside on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The included incident details are preliminary and may evolve as the active investigation continues.
 
The suspect involved has been identified as 29-year-old Michael Youmans.

On Thursday, January 30, 2025, Officer Nicholas Hackley conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle due to it having dark window tint and no tag lights.  However, before Officer Hackley could speak with the driver, later identified as Youmans, he drove away in his silver Impala.  

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, officers identified Youmans’ silver Impala and planned to stop and arrest him for fleeing from police during the previous traffic stop in January.  As officers approached, Youmans backed his car into a driveway; Sergeant Ben McEwan parked his patrol car in front of Youmans’ vehicle, got out of his marked patrol car and commanded Youmans to show his hands.  Rather than comply with Sergeant McEwen’s directions, Youmans backed his car up, then drove toward the sergeant.  Sergeant McEwan took a few steps backward before firing his JSO issued handgun at the approaching vehicle.  Youmans’ vehicle continued to move forward before hitting a fence and coming to rest.  Youmans eventually got out of the car and was taken into custody and aid rendered.
 
Ultimately, Youmans was arrested on multiple felonies to include Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer for his conduct following the January 30th traffic stop, and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, trafficking in MDMA, and possession of cocaine on the February 11th incident.
 
The State Attorney’s Office will independently review the incident to assess the legality of the officer’s actions.  JSO is releasing this preliminary information in the interest of transparency and final conclusions on the incident remain pending.
 
To view this recent Critical Incident Briefing, please visit our YouTube channel at the following link: https://youtu.be/vJ3TAaha20s