Arrest made on attempted murder charges

A 53-year-old Hastings man shot in an exchange of gunfire with St. Johns County deputies Tuesday night was arrested on attempted murder charges.

Lawrence Dean O’Bryan, remains at under guard at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center recovering from his injuries. Deputies said he will be booked in the St. Johns County Jail upon his release.

O’Bryan confronted deputies with a handgun about 10:15 p.m. as they responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home on Vivian Drive. The Sheriff’s Office said three deputies responded when a 41-year-old woman called 911 after getting into an argument with O’Bryan, who she described as being intoxicated and heard him in another room loading some of the guns he owned.

When the deputies spotted O’Bryan at the front door, they said he became confrontational and fired his firearm several times in the direction of the deputies. The deputies returned fire and struck O’Bryan at least once.