Florida man walks away from Jacksonville mental health facility, located and in custody

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 7:18 p.m.: JSO has announced that Bamboo Blanchard was located safe and is in custody by the Jacksonville Police Department

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Jacksonville police are asking for the public's help in locating a dangerous, suicidal man on the Southside, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said on Wednesday.

At 1 p.m., Bamboo Flute Blanchard, 23, walked away from a court ordered secure facility, Wekiva Springs Hospital, on Salisbury Road. He has reportedly been spotted in the University Boulevard and Beach Boulevard area.

Caregivers at the facility said Blanchard is considered a danger to himself and others.

Blanchard was last seen wearing a dark hoodie without sleeves, a black T-shirt and and gray sweatpants.

PHOTOS: Florida man walks away from Jacksonville mental health facility 

He reportedly has a history of mental instability and violent tendencies, police said. In 2013, Blanchard allegedly stabbed his father with a pocket knife because wanted to know what it was like to kill someone, according to a Huffington Post article.

He was later found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2014 in the stabbing.

Police said not to approach Blanchard and to call JSO at 904-630-0500 if you see him.

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