Clay County Sheriff's Office: Suspect dead after police shooting in Orange Park

A suspect is dead after a police shooting in Orange Park, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said.

The SWAT Team shot a suspect Thursday afternoon around 5:30 while serving a narcotics search warrant and an arrest warrant at a home on Bay Hill Boulevard in the Tanglewood neighborhood, CCSO said.

Authorities have identified the suspect as Michael Sword, 57, who had a lengthy crime history.

The SWAT Team entered the house and four people came out without incident.

A fifth person barricaded himself in the home. When the SWAT Team made entry, the suspect pulled a weapon and officers shot him, CCSO said.

The officers involved in the shooting are now being placed on administrative leave.

The warrant was being served in the same neighborhood as Sheriff Darryl Daniels' inaugural Community Walk where residents told him and deputies about drug activity in their neighborhood.

"That's exactly what you're seeing. I made a commitment during the campaign that I would focus on narcotics enforcement," Daniels said.

Daniels said the suspect had a criminal history related to narcotics.

"I said before that the clock was ticking and I said once I was elected, time was up. And so I'll say it again, for those that are committing crimes in Clay County, the time is up. You got options; you can leave Clay County or we're going to come."

Another warrant was executed without incident, Daniels said.

Detectives are questioning the four people who were in the home. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the lead in the investigation.

Megan Blake said she heard the gunshots and saw the SWAT team.

"There's a lot of drug deals that we see. Even my mom sees them," Blake said. "There's kids out here and I can't even walk to the park, down the street and take my son to swing ... I'll even see drug deals in front of me."

Blake is hopeful that Daniels will be able to reduce criminal activity.

"I really hope he does," Blake said. "I hope they clean up the neighborhood. I'm thrilled to see they did this bust."

Cox Media Group