PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — An off-duty St. Johns County deputy who was arrested in Ponte Vedra Beach Monday night after a verbal argument that escalated to a shooting has now been fired, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
SJSO said 48-year-old Napolian Staggers was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After an internal review of the incident, the sheriff's office said, "Sheriff Shoar has separated Staggers' employment" effective Tuesday.
SJSO says sometime before 10:15 p.m., the off-duty deputy got into a domestic-related argument at a home after allegedly being slapped by the victim multiple times.
A probable cause document says that Stagger began firing rounds into the air, ground, and around both sides of the victim's head before eventually striking the victim on both feet. The victim was able to escape the home and run to a neighbors house to call 911.
The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. They have since been discharged, according to SJSO.
The probable cause document suggests alcohol is believed to be a factor in this incident. Staggers admitted to firing the handgun and claims to have blacked out during that time.
Staggers is currently in jail being held without bond.
According to the sheriff's office, he worked for the agency for 16 years, as a reserve deputy, law enforcement deputy and in the traffic division.
