The family of Morris Davis, who was fatally shot by a Clay County deputy, has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to investigate the incident and seek accountability and justice.
Family of man fatally shot by Clay County deputy retains civil rights attorney Ben Crump Traffic Alert: Left lane blocked on I-10 East before MM 353 in Jacksonville after crash Read full article: Traffic Alert: Left lane blocked on I-10 East before MM 353 in Jacksonville after crashJacksonville’s downtown ‘donut’ keeps filling in as Riverfront Plaza phase 2 takes shape Read full article: Jacksonville’s downtown ‘donut’ keeps filling in as Riverfront Plaza phase 2 takes shape An attorney for a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer charged with battery after pulling a teenager off a bike at a skate park said the officer intervened because the teen was riding an electric motorcycle capable of dangerous speeds, not a standard e-bike.
Off-duty JSO officer cleared of battery charge after being caught on video slamming teen on ground at skate park Read full article: Off-duty JSO officer cleared of battery charge after being caught on video slamming teen on ground at skate parkFILE - Attorney Ben Crump speaks during a news conference, May 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. – The family of a man who was fatally shot by a Clay County deputy has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
The family said that when the shots were fired, Morris Davis, 48, was already on the ground and unable to pose a threat to the deputies.
“Morris Davis was a human being, loved by many, and his family deserves the truth about why he died in such a brutal manner. When a man is on the ground, unable to stand, unable to advance, posing no imminent threat, and deputies still choose to use deadly force, we must ask serious questions about whether that force was justified,” Crump said in a statement.
“Video shows there was distance, time, and options. We will pursue accountability and justice for Morris and his family, and we will push for the systemic change needed to ensure that preventable losses like this stop happening. ” The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said it is aware of the video circulating on social media regarding the shooting.
During the Saturday afternoon investigation, where deputies were called to a home on Pebble Stone Court to assist DCF, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said they learned Davis had an outstanding warrant for homicide out of Mississippi. Cook said the deputies were trying to confirm Davis’ warrant, who was eventually shot when he armed himself with two knives and became confrontational.
CCSO said the man then went out the back of the residence, into a neighbor’s yard, where he resisted deputies who were trying to take him into custody. Davis was then shot by Deputy Sheriff D. Brown. Deputies called for rescue, but Davis died at the scene after unsuccessful life-saving measures. News4JAX also spoke with Trevor Francis, who has circulated a video online that reportedly captured the shooting, which as of Monday had more than 175,000 views.
The footage appeared to show the man who was killed, visibly large in stature, lying on the ground at the moment he was shot.
“He can’t walk. He has to walk with a cane. You see how heavy-set he is. If you watch the whole video, when he broke through the fence, he fell through the fence,” Francis said.
In the video, which we did not air or post online, it appears that the man was holding a knife, but part of his body is obscured from view. CCSO said in a statement on Tuesday that it is aware of the video circulating on social media. FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office are conducting an independent investigation into the shooting and its circumstances.
The sheriff’s office said it will conduct a formal review of the use of force incident after the investigations by FDLE and SAO. Davis’s brother, who did not want to be identified, and the Oakleaf neighborhood are calling for answers and accountability, while the NAACP is now demanding a thorough probe into whether lethal force was necessary during the confrontation.
“He couldn’t move around very well,” his brother, who wished not to be identified, told News4JAX. “He couldn’t move around. My brother was disabled. Full disability.
I think they were intimidated by his size and weight. He couldn’t get up and lunge at them. ”“It’s destroyed our whole family, and only thing I can say is I wish them justice for this,” he said. The Clay County/Green Cover Springs branch of the NAACP issued a statement on the shooting, calling for accountability.
The Clay County/Green Cove Springs Branch NAACP is expressing outrage and deep concern regarding the recent tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of an unarmed African American male, reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. A video depicting the harrowing event has surfaced, prompting urgent discussion about the actions of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department.
In light of these disturbing revelations, we demand a thorough investigation and immediate answers from Sheriff Cook regarding the rationale behind the officers’ use of lethal force in a situation that, from our assessment, did not present an immediate threat to their safety or the safety of others. Our community is grappling with the agonizing loss of a life that could have been saved.
This incident highlights the critical need for law enforcement to be trained in handling mental health crises with compassion and care, rather than resorting to lethal measures that exacerbate the already fragile state of our community. We believe in accountability, transparency, and justice. Sheriff Cook’s statements during her recent news conference failed to adequately address the serious questions surrounding this tragic event.
We demand that Sheriff Cook provide a detailed explanation of the sequence of events leading to the shooting, along with the policies guiding such decisions. : It is imperative that the Clay County Sheriff’s Department implement rigorous training programs focusing on mental health crisis intervention to prevent future tragedies.
: We urge the department to actively engage with the community to build trust and understanding, especially in the context of sensitive situations involving vulnerable individualsScott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.
Carlos Acevedo is a photojournalist at WJXT News4Jax and a University of North Florida graduate with a degree in Communications, concentrating in Digital Video Production. Since joining News4Jax in 2024, he has been responsible for shooting compelling news stories that capture and share important events with the community. City of Jacksonville shares details, gathers input on next phase of Riverfront PlazaHold up wait a minute, I'm about to put some green in it!
Fatal road rage shooting of Jacksonville musician Joe Starkey was justified under Florida law: SAOJacksonville councilwoman declines to comment on HR investigation that removed her from classroomJacksonville community group demands new crisis response plan for JSOShooting at Woodland Acres bar is 3rd incident in area since late MarchCity Council committee subpoenas JEA CEO, top aide, and former counseWoman pinned under truck that plowed through Palatka block party thankful to be aliveIf you like This Old Swing, You're going to love this next Nunnsense projectMan who plowed truck into Palatka block party released from hospital, booked into Clay County jailBlock party ends in chaos, police shooting after driver plows through crowd, injuring people: policeGeorgia church shifts from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from Brantley fire
Clay County Deputy Morris Davis Fatal Shooting Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Clay Holmes Reaches New Fantasy Baseball Heights in this Mets Mock Fire-Sale TradeThe Mets are struggling big-time, and Clay Holmes could be traded in a hated but needed Mets fire sale.
Read more »
Man accused of stabbing Wayne County sheriff, sergeant expected in courtThe 33-year-old man accused of stabbing Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger and Wayne County Sergeant Dan Broome is expected to appear in Wayne County Municipal Court Wednesday morning.
Read more »
17-year-old Clay County student faces felony over posted threat of ‘need to kill’GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla.
Read more »
How to fix a ‘giant county bureaucracy’: San Diego County debates competing charter reform plansSan Diego County wants an ethics commission and fiscal watchdogs. LA County is adding more supervisors. Both want better budgets. How California counties are updating their charters.
Read more »