Beach resident dies from multiple gunshots

Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw reported to Historic City News that the St Augustine Beach man who exchanged gunfire with deputies a week ago has died at a Jacksonville hospital.

Early last Thursday evening, 53-year-old Cary Lloyd Martin was confronted by police at his 497 Florida Avenue home. St Augustine Beach police officers answered the call of a despondent man making suicidal threats shortly before 7:30 p.m. Those officers made contact with Martin by telephone. On several occasions, Martin indicated that he was going to exit the home to speak with officers.

Several St. Johns deputies responded as back-up while the Beach police concluded their negotiations. As Martin approached the front door, 39-year-old Sergeant Earl Edenfield III, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 13 years and 28-year-old Deputy Joshua Butler, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 18 months, observed that he was carrying a .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle.

Detectives have determined that Martin fired at least eight rounds towards officers during the initial confrontation. Edenfield and Butler returned fire, striking Martin. He was transported to UF Health Jacksonville by air ambulance with critical injuries. He died in the hospital yesterday, Kelshaw reported. Both deputies have been placed on paid Administrative Leave, which is standard procedure in deputy involved shootings.

Following an autopsy by the Duval County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted Wednesday, Miller died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds with the manner of death ruled a homicide.

The investigation is being conducted by detectives with the Major Crimes Unit of the Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office and is continuing.