Interstate 75 suspected shooter identified

Published:
Erica Brough/The Gainesville Sun

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The man who was killed after reportedly shooting at a state trooper Saturday has been identified.

Florida Department of Law of Enforcement said the suspected gunman was 59-year-old Earl Jackson, of Miami.

Florida Highway Patrol said a trooper stopped to help a car on Interstate 75, near Micanopy Saturday morning when a suspected gunman shot at him. The suspect then reportedly ran into the woods, forcing troopers to close the interstate in both directions for several hours Saturday.

The sheriff’s department found Jackson in the woods later, but he refused to cooperate and a confrontation occurred. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office told The Gainesville Sun it was not immediately clear whether the officers shot Jackson or if he shot himself.

Jackson died at the scene.

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