Former cop arrested in last nights shooting

Detectives with the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Homicide Unit questioned 40-year-old Nathaniel David Juratovac of St Augustine early this morning following an alleged “road rage” incident that occurred last night on US-1 South. Based on evidence collected at the scene, witness testimony, and information obtained in that interview, Juratovac, who resides on Casuarina Circle, was arrested and charged with attempted murder at about 2:00 a.m.

Juratovac is the former Flagler Beach police officer that twice arrested former State Attorney John Tanner’s daughter; leading to a sweeping probe into abuses at the Flagler County jail.

“Given the lack of credibility shown by Officer Juratovac and his lack of cooperation with this investigation, we urge State Attorney John Tanner to refuse to use his testimony in any criminal prosecutions and to dismiss all cases based solely on his testimony,” the Flagler County grand jury wrote in May 2006. “He simply is not believable.

In May 2008, Circuit Judge James R. Clayton acquitted Juratovac on three charges; perjury, false imprisonment, and falsifying official documents.

Last night’s victim, identified as 30-year-old Jared Conrad Parkey, also of St Augustine, sustained at least two gunshot wounds and was transported by air ambulance to the trauma unit at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. He was treated and released.

Family members were passengers in each of the two vehicles, Community Affairs Corporal Catherine Payne told Historic City News. None were reported injured.

One of the occupants of Juratovac’s vehicle is a member of the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and was a witness to the incident. Additional witnesses were located and interviewed at the scene.

The northbound lane of US-1 was closed for nearly six hours as Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians processed the scene of the incident.

Northbound traffic was diverted through St Augustine Shores.

Detectives are continuing the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the shooting.