BY JENN SAMSEL
Special to the Monitor
An Indian Trails man has died three days after being shot by Clay deputies during a standoff.
Sheriff Michelle Cook said in a news conference shortly after the June 21 shooting that deputies first encountered Dajshon Asbell earlier in the week when they attempted to serve him with a probation violation warrant.
The 32-year-old resisted arrest, fought with deputies, tried to stab one officer with a syringe, and escaped into the woods.
Deputies then obtained additional warrants for the Clay County man for resisting and assault.
On Friday, June 21, at 3:45 p.m., deputies returned to the Indian Trail residence for a second attempt to arrest the defendant.
Asbell responded by fleeing into a nearby shed with his girlfriend and refusing to come out.
A few minutes later, the girlfriend escaped the utility building, and deputies surrounded the shed. Negotiations went on for several hours, with Asbell refusing to give up.
Deputies then initiated gas into the structure, but the 32-year-old remained inside, and negotiations stretched to the five-hour mark.
Sheriff’s office SWAT team members pulled the front door of the shed off, and Asbell ran out of the building with a sharp object. After deputies surrounded him, he tried to stab them.
Deputies then deployed a K-9 to subdue the man. After Asbell appeared to grab the dog and attempt to stab it, four or five officers opened fire on the 32-year-old with what Cook described as non-lethal ammunition.
Clay County Fire Rescue transported Asbell to UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where he underwent surgery.
None of the deputies or the K-9 were hurt.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
According to Cook, Asbell had a history of violence. Prior arrests include trespassing, resisting arrest, burglary, and battery.
As for the girlfriend, it is unknown now what her involvement was in this incident.
