Deputies exchange gunfire on domestic call

St. Johns County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw reported to Historic City News that one man is in the hospital and three deputies are on administrative leave after a shooting incident that occurred in Hastings last night.

At 10:15 p.m., deputies were called to a domestic disturbance reported at a residence on West Vivian Drive in Hastings.

Because of previous interaction with 53 year-old Lawrence Dean O’Bryan who resides at 212 West Vivian Drive, deputies responding to the call were aware that he has been known to have numerous firearms in his residence.

The 41-year old victim and her juvenile daughter separated themselves from O’Bryan, but, were still inside the residence at the time of the call. The victim told E-911 operators that O’Bryan had been drinking, was intoxicated and could be overheard loading guns in another room.

Upon their arrival on the scene, deputies escorted the mother out of the home.

O’Bryan appeared at the front door, armed with a handgun, and engaged three deputies in gunfire.

O’Bryan was thought to have been struck in his upper chest or shoulder and possibly his arm, however, Kelshaw tells Historic City News that the man received only one, non life-threatening gunshot wound.

Fire Rescue personnel attempted to treat the shooter, however, O’Bryan was still being combative and had to be shot with a Taser in order to be restrained.

O’Bryan was transported to Flagler Hospital for treatment and then transported to Shands Jacksonville where he was treated for additional injury.

Neither the two females inside the home nor the three deputies outside suffered any injury in the exchange of gunfire.

The deputies involved were identified as 36 year-old William Lennon Jr., 32 year-old Coby Seckinger and 22 year-old Shawn Emert. All three were placed on Administrative Leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting; at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. “This is our standard procedure with any officer-involved shooting,” Kelshaw said.

The investigation is continuing.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer