Florida Deputy Fatally Shoots Man During Standoff; Officer Placed on Leave as Video Sparks Outrage

A Mississippi man with an outstanding homicide warrant was shot and killed by deputies after he allegedly attempted to escape. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, with many users questioning whether the officers’ use of force was justified.

On May 9, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Silver Bluff neighborhood in Oakleaf Plantation to assist the Department of Children and Families with an investigation.

While checking the identities of those involved, deputies discovered that one of the individuals, Morris Anthony Davis, 48, had an outstanding homicide warrant out of Mississippi.

“Davis armed himself with two knives, exited the back of the residence and was resistant with deputies who were attempting to take him into custody,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Davis, still armed with knives, fled into a neighbor’s yard where de-escalation attempts continued. In an attempt to disarm Davis, deputies tased him multiple times, which was ineffective.”

Authorities said Davis was then shot by Deputy Sheriff D. Brown. Despite rescue efforts at the scene, Davis was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

As criticism mounted on social media, the Sheriff’s Office announced that an independent investigation into the shooting had been launched and that the deputy involved had been placed on administrative leave.

“We are aware of the video circulating on social media regarding the shooting,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office, is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting and circumstances.”

“Deputy Brown has been placed on administrative leave per department policy, and CCSO will conduct a formal review of the use-of-force incident upon conclusion of the independent investigations by FDLE and SAO,” the statement added.

The incident quickly sparked debate online, with many social media users questioning whether officers used excessive force during the encounter.

“Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies shoot and kill disabled man that is lying on the ground and poses 0 threat to them. Morris Davis appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis,” wrote an X user. “As he is laying on the ground he holds a knife up to his own throat and a deputy shoots him THREE times! This is DISGUSTING! That deputy deserves to rot in jail.”

“This is murder. He never made one attempt to hurt an officer, He kept saying I love you, I love all of you,” added another.

One social media user said Davis appeared to need support and someone trained in crisis-response communication rather than the response he received. “Prayers to his family. May he rest in peace. I hope Clay County invests in better training for their staff. This is inexcusable,” Amanda wrote.

According to WAPT News, Davis was previously arrested and charged with second-degree murder in 2013 in connection with the killing of 46-year-old Michael Thomas in Vicksburg.

In video captured by a neighbor, Davis can reportedly be seen knocking down a fence and throwing what appeared to be a knife during the encounter.

Moments later, he appears on the ground as deputies repeatedly shout commands, including orders to drop a weapon.

“Once I heard that first gunshot, I couldn’t even believe it,” neighbor Marcus Donovan told First Coast News. “It didn’t register in my mind. And then once it did, I was like, wow, they just shot him.”