A 31-year-old man, sought in connection with a shooting incident in southwest Florida earlier this spring, was discovered in an unexpected hiding spot: “folded, not so neatly” inside a dryer, officials revealed.
David Jerome Jackson had evaded authorities since the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office identified him as a suspect linked to a shooting that occurred on March 15 in Pensacola.
Located on the southwestern edge of the Sunshine State, Pensacola sits near the Alabama border, approximately 55 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. The residence where deputies apprehended the suspect is situated in a neighborhood about four miles southwest of downtown Pensacola.
Acting on a tip regarding his possible location, deputies executed a search warrant at a residence in west Pensacola. Upon entering the home, they conducted a thorough search, eventually making their way to the laundry room. There, they made the surprising discovery of Jackson, described in the release as being “folded, not so neatly inside a remarkably small dryer drum.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Jackson’s expression upon being found was a mix of guilt, embarrassment, and discomfort, akin to someone caught in an awkward predicament. Extracting him from the dryer proved to be a careful process, with deputies removing him one limb at a time as he clung to his hiding spot.
Upon his removal from the dryer, authorities observed three dryer sheets, two mismatched socks, and a crumpled-up tissue stuck to Jackson’s Star Wars shirt, adding to the surreal nature of the discovery.
Jackson was promptly taken into custody and charged with various offenses, including shooting into a dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, damage to property, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The arrest stemmed from an incident in March when Jackson allegedly visited the home of his nephew’s stepfather to address disciplinary matters concerning the boy. According to reports, Jackson confronted the stepfather, warning him to refrain from laying hands on his nephew. The confrontation escalated, culminating in Jackson allegedly swinging at the stepfather and firing a shot in his direction. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
As of Wednesday, Jackson remained incarcerated on a $12,000 bond, with a court hearing scheduled for June 7. It was not immediately clear if he had retained legal representation.
