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Man killed in Ocala deputy-involved shooting identified
By WUFT News
July 7, 2026 at 4:36 PM EDT
The Marion County Sheriff's Office said it happened at 2:26 p.m. Tuesday.
A man is dead after a Tuesday afternoon deputy-involved shooting in Ocala.
According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the 14900 block of SW 35th Avenue just before 2:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies spoke with James Cherry, 39, who the sheriff's office said was involved.
That's when the sheriff's office said Cherry threatened a deputy while holding a gun, and the deputy shot him.
"[Cherry] failed to comply with commands to drop [the gun], and turned toward the deputy, who shot him to eliminate the threat," Lt. Paul Bloom wrote in a news release.
The Marion County Fire Department took Cherry to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Marion County Sheriff's Office major crimes deputies responded to the scene. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office declined to release information on the deputy, citing a state law that went into effect July 1. Bloom confirmed the deputy is on paid administrative leave.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the 14900 block of SW 35th Avenue just before 2:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies spoke with James Cherry, 39, who the sheriff's office said was involved.
That's when the sheriff's office said Cherry threatened a deputy while holding a gun, and the deputy shot him.
"[Cherry] failed to comply with commands to drop [the gun], and turned toward the deputy, who shot him to eliminate the threat," Lt. Paul Bloom wrote in a news release.
The Marion County Fire Department took Cherry to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Marion County Sheriff's Office major crimes deputies responded to the scene. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office declined to release information on the deputy, citing a state law that went into effect July 1. Bloom confirmed the deputy is on paid administrative leave.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.