Jacksonville Police Officers Shoot Fleeing Suspect Carrying a Knife During Drug Investigation

* (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) * Jacksonville, Florida — On January 19, 2023, detectives from the narcotics and vice section were conducting surveillance on a known drug dealer, Brian Brightman. The detectives knew Brightman was located inside a van and an apartment complex parking lot located in the 13200 block of North Main Street. In the driver’s seat of that van was the man later identified as 38-year-old Eric Nathaniel Thornton. After observing what appeared to be an illegal drug transaction being committed from the van, detectives used their vehicles to block the van’s movement and then attempted to detain the occupants. The detectives were outfit in tactical uniforms that clearly identified them as police. As they approached the van, Thornton opened the driver’s side door and fled on foot. Several of the detectives immediately pursued Thornton to detain him. As they were doing so, they observed that Thornton was armed