SWAT arrests out-of-control armed man

Historic City News has learned that a St. Johns County man was apprehended by SWAT team members after a standoff with law enforcement yesterday.

Kelly Eugene Batten, 33, was shot with a Taser when he walked out of the house at 8760 Batten Road, said Sergeant Chuck Mulligan of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found seven shotguns and rifles in the house — including several laid out with ammunition in a bedroom.

Deputies were called to the house about 5:00 p.m. by a woman who said a relative was acting uncontrollably. According to the report, Batten fired shots inside the family home and attacked a man who managed to escape.

As deputies arrived at the scene, a wounded man and a woman were stopped in a car that was driving away.

The male victim, who said he had been threatened and attacked inside the house, was taken to Baptist Medical Center South for treatment for a severe head wound.

The female victim said that she had been knocked to the ground and kept from calling 911.

Several random shots were fired from the Batten Road residence after it was evacuated. Mulligan said the shots did not seem to be fired at any particular target.

Mulligan said Batten was armed when he came out of the house; but, put his weapon down when he came outside about 8:00 p.m. Batten was taken into custody.

Batten was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, battery, violating a domestic violence injunction and obstructing justice. He is in custody tonight in lieu of $18,300 bond.