Hours-long SWAT standoff in Mandarin neighborhood ends, man arrested

MANDARIN, Fla. —

An hours-long SWAT standoff ended peacefully Tuesday morning, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

The 37-year-old man at the center of the standoff has been arrested, JSO said during a news conference Tuesday.

Police identified him as Ryan James Taylor.

Officers said they were called out to Macaw Drive in reference to shots fired. When they arrived, they spoke with a victim, who told authorities he heard gunfire and something striking his home.

Police said another victim was also identified during their investigation. JSO said they then learned that an aggravated assault had occurred.

A JSO officer who is familiar with Taylor saw him shooting a shotgun in his backyard in the 12000 block of Toucan Drive.

As a result, police secured the area and officers attempted to get Taylor to surrender and leave the home.

The SWAT team was called out after patrol efforts to get him to come out of the home were unsuccessful.

Police said he finally emerged from the home at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday after several tactics were used to get him to come out.

Taylor faces two counts of aggravated assault as well as one count of firing a firearm in a residential area, according to JSO.

Officers said no one was hurt during the standoff.

Action News Jax did a background check and found that Taylor has a criminal history.

In April of 2019, he was found guilty of improperly firing a firearm and possession in Jacksonville.

In September of 2011, records show he was arrested and charged in South Carolina for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. There was also a similar charge in 2007 in the same county and are listed as pending.

Duval County court records show that Taylor was supposed to appear in court Tuesday for a hearing on temporary risk protection order compliance -- a law that can restrict gun possession by a person who poses a danger or threat to themself or others.

1/19/2021 - 6:51 A.M. UPDATE:

A portion of Toucan Drive has reopened allowing some neighbors to return to their homes. Others are still unable to get to their homes.

Action News Jax reporter Meghan Moriarty is currently in the area and said it appears tear gas is being used.

1/18/2021 - UPDATE 11:10 P.M.:

All roads surrounding Toucan Dr. are still blocked off. SWAT has been trying to get a man out of his home peacefully since we arrived on scene around 7 p.m.

Neighbors tell Action News Jax reporter Dani Bozzini that this started around 4 p.m.

One man said he heard a few gun shots at 4 p.m. and about an hour later was evacuated from his home.

Dozens of families have been evacuated and have been unable to get back into their homes since 5 p.m.

Here’s what SWAT said over a loudspeaker around 10 p.m.:

“Hands up. Nothing in your hands. Leave the guns in the house. We know you’ve got guns. We’re not trying to take them. Leave them there so you don’t get hurt.”

This is still a very active scene, we will keep you updated on-air and online when more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL STORY: 1/18/2021

There is heavy police presence and a SWAT team off Julington Creek Rd. on Toucan Dr. in Mandarin.

Neighbors tell Action News Jax reporter Dani Bozzini they were evacuated from their homes hours ago after they heard shots coming from a neighbor’s home.

Dani Bozzini is on scene working to get more information.

Dani heard SWAT trying to talk with someone inside a home saying “help us, help you. It’s okay.”

Neighbors say SWAT has been trying to get their neighbor to come out peacefully since 7 p.m.

JSO has the road blocked off, and are not letting anyone through.

This is a developing story, we will update you here and on-air once we have more information.

Neighbors: Homes evacuated after hearing gunshots in Mandarin

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