By John Willoughby
Riverbend News
A Lake City law enforcement officer is recovering in Madison County after being shot in the line of duty on Tuesday, July 28. Officer Remington “Cody” Chauncey, of Live Oak, is relatively new in Lake City, having joined the department in April of 2020. Before his current tenure with Lake City Police Department (LCPD), Chauncey was an officer with the Live Oak Police Department from 2017 - 2020. Chauncey is expected to make a full recovery.
After the incident, Chauncey was transported to Lake City Medical Center and then out of the area for additional medical treatment. He was listed in stable condition at the time of LCPD's statement issued on the day of the incident. In a social media statement made by the family, Chauncey successfully made it through surgery without complications during which the bullet was removed safely from a location near his spine. The bullet, which lodged in the spine, “didn’t cause extensive damage,” said Chauncey. “It didn’t tumble, it didn’t fragment – nothing. The doctor said it was a one in a billion thing. He said I was lucky to be up and walking.”
Discharged two days later, Chauncey, a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was wheeled out of North Florida Regional Medical Center, in Gainesville, to his vehicle where he was greeted by numerous brothers and sisters in the force. He was then escorted by a slew of law enforcement officers to where he is currently recovering in Lee, with his girlfriend, Tiffany Register. The escort by LCPD was supported by the Live Oak Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Register states recovery will take approximately six weeks after the bullet hit the spine. Luckily, it was successfully removed through surgery, however, she states he is experiencing some numbness in the side of his feet and right leg. “It's not like it was, but he's a strong dude,” Register added. “The bullet landed like an airplane perfectly landing at an airport. God guided that bullet that morning; there was nothing but the grace of God protecting him that morning. All glory to Him,” concluded Register.
According to a press release by the LCPD, Chauncey was shot while conducting a well-being check at a residence in the area of NE Webster Avenue and NE Jenkins Lane, in Lake City.
On Tuesday, July 28, around 1:37 a.m., LCPD responded to the area after receiving a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found that the home at the reported location had been hit by gunfire evident by visible bullet holes in its exterior. Officers attempted to make contact inside the residence to conduct a well-being check, knocking at the home's door and identifying themselves while fearing that an occupant of the home may have been struck by gunfire.
While on the porch knocking on the home's door, several gunshots were fired through the door from within the home when Chauncey was struck. “When I kicked the door, he fired,” stated Chauncey. With the withdrawal of officers from the residence and the transportation of Chauncey to Lake City Medical Center, residents of nearby homes were evacuated for their safety and the area around the home was secured. Officers continued efforts to make contact with a subject inside the home who refused to exit.
After the response of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and a negotiation unit, Antonio Jennings, 42, of Lake City, was taken into custody after one hour of negotiation and a peaceful exit.
Jennings is being held without bond and is charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to LCPD, the incident is still under investigation and additional charges may be announced at a later time.