Teenager shot, killed by law enforcement in Gainesville

ACSO: Suspect was given multiple opportunities to disarm himself

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A teenage was shot and killed by law enforcement in Gainesville, Sunday night.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department, 16-year-old Robert Dentmond was killed.

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Sunday night, around 10:00 pm, ACSO deputies responded to a 911 call from Robert, who stated he was walking around the Majestic Oaks Apartment Complex with a "M-16" rifle. 

Robert told dispatchers he wanted to shoot himself then hung up, according to investigators.

ACSO patrol units arrived on scene, confirming the suspect had an AR-15 style assault rifle. Backup was requested from ACSO and GPD. 

Deputies and officers began speaking to Robert. At one point, Robert dropped his weapon, but officials said he would not move away from it. After several minutes, Robert picked up the weapon, arming himself again, then began walking toward an occupied apartment building.

The report stated deputies and officers from both agencies began to give a series of loud verbal commands telling Robert to drop his weapon. Detectives said Robert did not respond to the directions, continuing to walk toward the building. Lethal force was used to stop the threat Robert posed to residents of the complex, according to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.

Officers on scene rendered medical aid to Robert before being transported by the Alachua County Fire Rescue to UF Health Gainesville. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation is being taken over by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The ACSO Office of Professional Standards and GPD's Internal Affairs will also conduct an investigation into the incident once they received the results from the FDLE investigation.

Protocol requires that ACSO deputies and GPD officers who were involved be placed on temporary administrative duties until the investigations are concluded.