On Thursday, around noon, deputies approached the suspect at a Culver’s restaurant in Yulee. The individual was reportedly sought by authorities in Southwest Florida for car theft and was traveling north, yet their identity remains undisclosed.

After being apprehended, the suspect was handcuffed and secured in the back of a police vehicle. It was then that the sheriff’s office reported the suspect managed to inflict a gunshot wound on themselves using a hidden firearm.

Although Nassau County Fire Rescue promptly responded and provided medical aid, the suspect ultimately did not survive the injury, as confirmed by the NCSO.

Despite response and treatment by Nassau County Fire Rescue, NCSO says that the suspect succumbed to their wounds.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office told First Coast News it was unable to confirm at this time whether or not the suspect was patted down or searched before being placed in the car. The involved deputy has not been identified.

“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has been notified and will conduct an independent investigation, which is standard protocol for incidents of this nature,” NCSO said in a news release. “The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office will also conduct an internal review to determine whether any policy violations occurred and will take appropriate action pending the outcome of the investigation.”

The sheriff’s office says the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, and information could change as it proceeds.

This is a developing story.