A grief-stricken mother has said she is proud of her 16-year-old son, who was shot and killed by a Florida deputy while he was allegedly armed and shoplifting.

Jairus Jones was gunned down by an off-duty Osceola County officer during a Walmart shoplifting incident on Thursday, Sheriff Chris Blackman said in a press release.

‘My son Jairus, who everyone knew and loved as JJ, was a bright beautiful light in this world,’ Naporsha Jones Spruill told WESH.

‘As his mother, I am beyond proud of the young man he was becoming. He was full of life, full of love, and full of dreams.

‘Our hearts are shattered, but we want the world to remember JJ for his smile, his energy, and the love he gave so freely.’

The deputy, working off-duty as Walmart security, was alerted that three people were trying to steal.

Upon confronting the three suspects, he noticed one was armed with a handgun.

Jones allegedly tried to run from the deputy and rushed toward other customers, prompting the officer to open fire, according to the OCSO.

Jairus Jones, 16, was the armed suspect who was fatally shot during a Florida Walmart shoplifting incident
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Jairus Jones, 16, was the armed suspect who was fatally shot during a Florida Walmart shoplifting incident

The 16-year-old with his mother, Naporsha Jones Spruill, who spoke to local outlet WESH about her son's character
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The 16-year-old with his mother, Naporsha Jones Spruill, who spoke to local outlet WESH about her son’s character

Investigators said the off-duty officer feared for the lives of other shoppers, prompting him to shoot, per FOX35.

 

Sheriff Blackmon wouldn’t confirm if the suspect aimed at the deputy but said surveillance video had been obtained.

The other two shoplifting suspects – a juvenile and a man in his 20s – have been identified but not publicly named, Channel 9 reported. They were not arrested or charged.

‘Wherever we go, we’re there to ensure the safety of the public. That’s our number one goal – they have to feel safe and be safe,’ Law enforcement training officer Steve Kelly told FOX35.

‘If there’s a guy running with a gun, we have to take action… to save their lives,’ he explained, describing the thought process behind the deputy’s decision.

Three armed ‘good Samaritans’ were on the scene and offered to assist the deputy, one of them spoke to Channel 9 about the ordeal.

Corrections officer Yamil Villanueva said the off-duty officer repeatedly told Jones to stop, but he wouldn’t listen.

‘Then he tried to pull out his gun and run,’ he said. ‘The gun fell. The [deputy] directed him not to pick up the gun, and leave the gun on the floor. He didn’t comply.’

Villanueva said he heard shots, and recalled, ‘I was like, wow. This is really happening. I’m going to have to use my firearm to protect the people around me… to make sure nobody gets hurt.’

Video obtained by the outlet showed security in what appeared to be a stand-off with one of the suspects in the Walmart
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Video obtained by the outlet showed security in what appeared to be a stand-off with one of the suspects in the Walmart

The incident unfolded at around 8pm on Thursday at the Walmart in Osceola County

The incident unfolded at around 8pm on Thursday at the Walmart in Osceola County

He pulled out his concealed gun but never fired, instead getting the deputy’s attention to speak with him.

As Villanueva identified himself and the deputy let him approach, customers and employees were fleeing the store.

‘I was relieved, but I didn’t know what was going on until [I] drew my firearm and peeped the corner,’ he said. ‘I realized the suspect had got shot.’

The shooting is under investigation and the deputy is on paid leave, per standard protocol.

Jones’ mother still has questions about what happened, per WESH. The Daily Mail reached out to the Sheriff’s Office for comment.