Authorities have identified Allen Rush as the man who was fatally shot by a Jacksonville police officer during a traffic stop Monday evening in the Oceanway area. The incident unfolded during an active criminal investigation and has sparked an in-depth review as officials work to clarify the sequence of events that led to the deadly encounter.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), officers were investigating a suspect connected to vehicle theft and multiple business break-ins. Police said they were searching for William Lowe and established surveillance at a home in the 300 block of Ponce Boulevard, believing Lowe was inside. Officers monitored the residence for roughly an hour as part of their investigation.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., police said Lowe exited the residence and entered the passenger side of a vehicle. Officers then conducted a traffic stop. During a news briefing later that evening, JSO officials stated that Lowe identified himself to officers and was taken into custody without resistance or incident.
As Lowe was being arrested, a second officer moved to detain the driver of the vehicle. While police initially withheld the driver’s identity, relatives and acquaintances later confirmed to local media that the driver was Allen Rush. According to JSO, what began as a routine attempt to remove Rush from the vehicle quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
JSO Chief Alan Parker explained that a struggle broke out between Rush and the officer. During the altercation, both men reportedly fell to the ground. Police said that at some point during the struggle, Rush produced a handgun, prompting the officer to fire his service weapon. Rush was struck in the head during the shooting.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Rush was pronounced deceased. The officer involved was identified as Zachary Jennings, an eight-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. As required by policy, the officer has been placed on administrative status while the incident is reviewed.
The shooting remains under investigation, with both internal and external reviews underway to examine body-camera footage, witness statements, and physical evidence. JSO officials have not yet released further details about the firearm police say Rush produced. As the investigation continues, community members and Rush’s loved ones await answers, while authorities say additional information will be released as it becomes available.
