JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After hours of negotiations, tear gas and frustrated neighbors, a man is in custody following a SWAT situation in the South Mandarin area, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The situation began Monday afternoon and spilled over into the early morning hours of Tuesday. There were no injuries, police said.
Ryan James Taylor, 37, was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of firing a gun in a residential neighborhood.
According to court documents, Taylor is a veteran with a history of mental illness and suicidal ideation
JSO says officers initially responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Macaw Drive around 4 p.m. When police arrived, they say they were able to determine that a home on Macaw had been 'peppered' with shots from a firearm.
Officers determined an aggravated assault had occurred, JSO says.
A block away on Toucan Drive, one of the officers located a man in his backyard shooting a shotgun and was able to identify him as Taylor based on previous interactions. As a result, officers secured the area and made attempts to communicate with Taylor for surrender.
Another victim was identified during the investigation and officers obtained a warrant for Taylor's arrest for two counts of aggravated assault and one count of firing a weapon in a residential area, JSO says.
After police made themselves known, Taylor barricaded himself inside the house and refused to come out, police say.
Patrol officers were unable to get Taylor to surrender, JSO says, so the SWAT team and negotiators were called to the scene to begin negotiations and tactics to get Taylor to surrender.
For over 14 hours, police attempted to negotiate with him and also reportedly used tear gas.
He was taken into custody around 5:45 a.m. after coming out of the residence on his own, police say.
JSO says that prior to the incident, a risk protection order was already in the process of being filed on behalf of Taylor.
"The Risk Protection Unit is following up to ensure the suspect never possesses a firearm again," a news release from JSO says.
According to Florida Court records, the order is designed to enhance public safety by restricting firearm and ammunition possession by a person who poses a danger to himself or herself or others.
Meanwhile, neighbors in the area told First Coast News that they are relieved the roadway is back open after having been unable to get to their homes for roughly 14 hours.
A small part of Toucan Drive is still closed off and is expected to re-open in several hours.
No one was hurt during any part of the standoff, police say.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
If you know a veteran in crisis, The Fire Watch is a resource that helps combat veteran suicide. Click here for more information.
