FDLE investigates two deputy shootings of suspected shoplifters at Walmart stores

For the second time in less than a week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement initiated an investigation into a shooting at a Central Florida Walmart involving a deputy and a person accused of shoplifting.A deputy shot a man Sunday night outside a Walmart on E. Colonial Drive who had a shopping cart filled with merchandise, and he didn’t listen to multiple commands, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.This shooting comes after the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office identified 16-year-old Jairus Jones as the teen who was shot and killed by an off-duty deputy at a Walmart in Poinciana Thursday night.While the circumstances surrounding these two shootings are quite different, it is standard for the FDLE to step in and investigate when a deputy shoots a suspect.Witness video captured moments after off-duty deputy shot teen at Osceola County WalmartQuestions still remain about what exactly happened before an off-duty Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy shot and killed Jones.Sheriff Chris Blackmon said a Walmart employee told the off-duty deputy working security that three suspects had merchandise concealed in their clothing and they were trying to leave without paying.”The loss prevention officer and our deputy attempted to meet those men at the front of the store when they did one of the gentlemen took off running, had a gun in his hand,” Blackmon said last Thursday. “Our deputy fired down range at the suspect and took him out.”A witness who shared his cell phone video with WESH 2 asked to remain anonymous. The video begins in the grocery section of Walmart, and it shows other shoppers and employees running for safety and shelter. The witness said he heard a first gunshot, then a pause, and then more sounds of gunfire. When he walked to the front of the store, his video clearly shows a pair of slides a few feet from Jones’ body.This witness told WESH 2 he did not see a gun near the teen as he was bleeding out.The sheriff’s office said it’s working to release deputy-worn body camera video.Deputies find two knives after shooting outside Walmart in Orange CountyThe Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced the deputy involved in Sunday night’s shooting is on temporary, paid administrative leave during the initial FDLE review of the incident.OCSO is also planning an internal investigation after FDLE completes its investigation and turns over the findings to the State Attorney’s Office. “(Our deputy) encountered the man on E. Colonial Drive wearing a ski mask and pushing shopping cart full of merchandise from the Walmart,” Sheriff Mina said.The sheriff added that the deputy first used his taser, but that did not neutralize the suspect.”Our deputy can be heard saying don’t reach, don’t reach, don’t reach three times,” Mina said. “Then our deputy fires his service weapon at the suspect, striking him several times.”Deputies shared photos of two knives they found at the scene.Sheriff Mina said 48-year-old Jason Beal is being charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting with violence. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening.”So, Beal also has an extensive criminal history throughout multiple counties in the state of Florida,” Mina said. “Most recently, he was arrested by the Orlando Police Department for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in a stabbing.”State Attorney responds to sheriff’s criticism of suspect’s recent release from jailOrange County court records show Beal was released from jail in early February, 33 days after his arrest for a stabbing attack last September. “It’s disappointing because this is a person that was gonna hurt someone eventually,” Sheriff Mina said. “He stabbed someone you know last year, and he was released on his own recognizance.”Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell issued a statement saying Beal’s release from jail was due to state law, not a policy decision. “In this case, at the expiration of the statutory deadline,” Worrell said, “we did not have the evidence required to file charges and meet our burden in court. Our prosecutors continue to work with law enforcement to determine next steps consistent with the law.”Worrell’s statement also referenced that Beal had been allowed to leave jail while Andrew Bain served as State Attorney during her suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis. “This is not the first time evidentiary challenges have affected this individual’s cases,” Worrell said. “He previously had matters before this office in 2023 and again in 2024 during the appointed administration. In those cases, prosecutors encountered similar issues, including non-cooperative victims and limitations in proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That context matters. These decisions are not about administration or partisan politics — they are about whether the admissible evidence meets the legal burden required to proceed in court.”Could other shoplifting suspects from Poinciana Walmart be charged with felony murder?The Osceola Sheriff’s Office said on Friday that deputies have identified another juvenile and a man in his 20s who got away from the Walmart in Poinciana after the off-duty deputy shot Jones.The man in his 20s is believed to be the brother of Jones, OCSO said.While both have been accounted for, they have not yet been arrested as the FDLE continues its investigation. “Well, in order to be charged with what we call felony murder, there have to be some kind of evidence to indicate that they were working in concert, working together,” Orlando-based criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas explained.Rivas also told WESH 2 the state would have to prove the 16-year-old was shot and killed during the commission of a felony, such as robbery.”Shoplifting does not qualify as a felony, obviously, in the state of Florida,” Rivas said. “Now that doesn’t mean that it cannot escalate. If the suspect is fleeing or eluding, or that theft becomes a robbery by some force, then at that point, we do have a felony, which they could charge the co-defendants.”The off-duty Osceola Sheriff’s deputy was not injured, and he has also been placed on standard administrative leave.

For the second time in less than a week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement initiated an investigation into a shooting at a Central Florida Walmart involving a deputy and a person accused of shoplifting.

A deputy shot a man Sunday night outside a Walmart on E. Colonial Drive who had a shopping cart filled with merchandise, and he didn’t listen to multiple commands, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.

This shooting comes after the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office identified 16-year-old Jairus Jones as the teen who was shot and killed by an off-duty deputy at a Walmart in Poinciana Thursday night.

While the circumstances surrounding these two shootings are quite different, it is standard for the FDLE to step in and investigate when a deputy shoots a suspect.

Witness video captured moments after off-duty deputy shot teen at Osceola County Walmart

Questions still remain about what exactly happened before an off-duty Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy shot and killed Jones.

Sheriff Chris Blackmon said a Walmart employee told the off-duty deputy working security that three suspects had merchandise concealed in their clothing and they were trying to leave without paying.

“The loss prevention officer and our deputy attempted to meet those men at the front of the store when they did one of the gentlemen took off running, had a gun in his hand,” Blackmon said last Thursday. “Our deputy fired down range at the suspect and took him out.”

A witness who shared his cell phone video with WESH 2 asked to remain anonymous.

The video begins in the grocery section of Walmart, and it shows other shoppers and employees running for safety and shelter.

The witness said he heard a first gunshot, then a pause, and then more sounds of gunfire.

When he walked to the front of the store, his video clearly shows a pair of slides a few feet from Jones’ body.

This witness told WESH 2 he did not see a gun near the teen as he was bleeding out.

The sheriff’s office said it’s working to release deputy-worn body camera video.

Deputies find two knives after shooting outside Walmart in Orange County

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced the deputy involved in Sunday night’s shooting is on temporary, paid administrative leave during the initial FDLE review of the incident.

OCSO is also planning an internal investigation after FDLE completes its investigation and turns over the findings to the State Attorney’s Office.

“(Our deputy) encountered the man on E. Colonial Drive wearing a ski mask and pushing shopping cart full of merchandise from the Walmart,” Sheriff Mina said.

The sheriff added that the deputy first used his taser, but that did not neutralize the suspect.

“Our deputy can be heard saying don’t reach, don’t reach, don’t reach three times,” Mina said. “Then our deputy fires his service weapon at the suspect, striking him several times.”

Deputies shared photos of two knives they found at the scene.

Sheriff Mina said 48-year-old Jason Beal is being charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting with violence. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening.

“So, Beal also has an extensive criminal history throughout multiple counties in the state of Florida,” Mina said. “Most recently, he was arrested by the Orlando Police Department for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in a stabbing.”

State Attorney responds to sheriff’s criticism of suspect’s recent release from jail

Orange County court records show Beal was released from jail in early February, 33 days after his arrest for a stabbing attack last September.

“It’s disappointing because this is a person that was gonna hurt someone eventually,” Sheriff Mina said. “He stabbed someone you know last year, and he was released on his own recognizance.”

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell issued a statement saying Beal’s release from jail was due to state law, not a policy decision.

“In this case, at the expiration of the statutory deadline,” Worrell said, “we did not have the evidence required to file charges and meet our burden in court. Our prosecutors continue to work with law enforcement to determine next steps consistent with the law.”

Worrell’s statement also referenced that Beal had been allowed to leave jail while Andrew Bain served as State Attorney during her suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“This is not the first time evidentiary challenges have affected this individual’s cases,” Worrell said. “He previously had matters before this office in 2023 and again in 2024 during the appointed administration. In those cases, prosecutors encountered similar issues, including non-cooperative victims and limitations in proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That context matters. These decisions are not about administration or partisan politics — they are about whether the admissible evidence meets the legal burden required to proceed in court.”

Could other shoplifting suspects from Poinciana Walmart be charged with felony murder?

The Osceola Sheriff’s Office said on Friday that deputies have identified another juvenile and a man in his 20s who got away from the Walmart in Poinciana after the off-duty deputy shot Jones.

The man in his 20s is believed to be the brother of Jones, OCSO said.

While both have been accounted for, they have not yet been arrested as the FDLE continues its investigation.

“Well, in order to be charged with what we call felony murder, there have to be some kind of evidence to indicate that they were working in concert, working together,” Orlando-based criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas explained.

Rivas also told WESH 2 the state would have to prove the 16-year-old was shot and killed during the commission of a felony, such as robbery.

“Shoplifting does not qualify as a felony, obviously, in the state of Florida,” Rivas said. “Now that doesn’t mean that it cannot escalate. If the suspect is fleeing or eluding, or that theft becomes a robbery by some force, then at that point, we do have a felony, which they could charge the co-defendants.”

The off-duty Osceola Sheriff’s deputy was not injured, and he has also been placed on standard administrative leave.