Alachua County deputies shoot, kill Gainesville man after he refuses to put down gun

Staff report
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A Gainesville man was shot and killed by deputies Monday evening after he refused to put down a shotgun and pointed it in their direction, according to Alachua County Sheriff's Office social media post.

Deputies say that a woman called law enforcement around 6:12 p.m. and said she was "concerned about the mental well-being of her husband."

The man, 58-year-old Wendell H. Chastain, had sent text messages to family members stating that he "wanted to end his life." Deputies learned that he was upset over a warrant being issued for his arrest following a probation violation.

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Deputies responded to 17607 NW County Road 231 and located Chastain nearby inside his truck in a wooded area. They say he told them that he had a shotgun and that he was going to grab it. Chastain, however, left the scene in teh vehcile prior to the arrival of the Negotiations Response Team.

Chastain made his way back to his residence where he "exited his truck brandishing a shotgun and pointing it in the direction of deputies on scene," the post says. Chastain ignored orders to drop the weapon by deputies, who ultimately shot him to end the "threat of violence."

Deputies immediately rendered aid to Chastain, but he died from his injuries, the sheriff's office said.

"Sheriff Watson acknowledges the severity of this incident and is thankful that our Deputy Sheriff's involved are free from harm after facing the active threat of imminent violence at the hands of another," the social media post says.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as is standard in all deputy-involved shootings, is investigating the incident. The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County Sheriff's Office deputies shoot, kill Gainesville man