Suicidal man killed by CCSO deputy after he brandished a gun

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – A Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to a suicide threat wound up killing a man after he brandished a firearm during a wellness check.

According to Undersheriff Ron Lendvay, his agency was called by Clay Behavioral Health Center after a county resident called the center to complain one of his medications was cancelled. The man then threatened to “blow his brains out,” Lendvay said. Clay Behavioral called the sheriff’s office at 1:42 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Knowing the man had been previously Baker Acted and had been suicidal in the past, Lendvay said they performed a wellness check at his home, but he wasn’t there. A deputy stopped a car on State Road 21 near Gas Line Road belonging to one of the man’s relatives, and they found the man in the passenger seat.

He told deputies he owned a firearm, but he left it at his home. After admitting he called Clay Behavioral to threaten suicide, he pulled a gun from his pocket after the deputy said he wanted to check him for weapons, CCSO said.

After several attempts to have the man drop his weapon “to de-escalate the situation,” Lendvay said: “He was ultimately shot.”

Despite lifesaving measures by deputies and Clay County Fire Rescue, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, CCSO said.

The sheriff’s office then worked traffic control after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the investigation. Lendvay did not identify the man, who Lendvay said was in his mid-30s, as well as the sheriff’s office deputy who shot him.

Man arrested for opening fire on father of girlfriend's children

OAKLEAF – A 32-year-old convicted felon was charged with attempted murder after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he opened fire at his girlfriend's estranged husband during a pre-arranged child custody exchange Friday, Sept. 18, on Baybridge Court.

Darrius Elighah Winard Kirkland was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony child abuse after deputies said several of the bullets fired struck their car when they met the father to give him two children for visitation.

Nobody was struck by the gunfire, CCSO said, but several houses in the neighborhood were hit.

According to a prepared release, CCSO said Kirkland and his girlfriend drove to meet the father. But before arriving, Kirkland stopped, getting an AR-style rifle and semiautomatic handgun. As a convicted felon, Kirkland isn’t allowed to possess a firearm or ammo.

According to the release, “Shortly after the arrival of the father in his vehicle, the young child of Kirkland’s girlfriend exited the vehicle they were riding in and began walking to her father’s vehicle. Kirkland also exited the vehicle with the rifle and pointed it at the father’s vehicle as he was getting out.

“Kirkland began firing the rifle numerous times at the father, who returned fire with his own pistol before retreating into neighboring yards. The father’s vehicle was struck by bullets numerous times while another young child was inside. The mother took cover on the ground during the exchange of gunfire but was able to retrieve both children and get them to safety when the shooting stopped. The mother and children were unharmed during the incident, and no one was struck by gunfire during the exchange. Several houses in the area were hit by stray bullets, but no one was injured.”

The father returned to the scene and surrendered to responding deputies. Kirkland attempted to flee in his girlfriend’s car. Deputies found the car crashed into a tree and on fire on Piedmont Manor Drive. Kirkland tried to hide in a backyard, but he was quickly detained by a K-9 deputy. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries sustained to his legs.

CCSO said the mother and father were cooperative and were interviewed by detectives. Although an arrest was made, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at (904) 264-6512 and ask to speak with Detective Sean Holmes. You can also submit a tip through the SaferWatch app, or by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing **TIPS.

 CCSO, CCDS: No evidence of spiked drinks at Ridgeview’s Homecoming dance

ORANGE PARK – According to a press release issued by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, there is no evidence that anyone spiked drinks or tampered with refreshments during Ridgeview High’s Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Sept. 19

CCSO, along with Clay County District Schools, said they were aware of the rumors circulating regarding the dance. Rumors online suggested that there were spiked drinks during the event. “There is currently no evidence of drink spiking or tampering and we are actively investigating these reports,” the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators and school administration were on site throughout the entire evening. During the homecoming dance, three students reported medical issues. Out of an abundance of caution, two were taken to a hospital by EMS and were released after a short stay; one did not go to the hospital.

The students who were taken to the hospital were drug tested and results showed there were no drugs found in their system.
On Sunday, Sept. 20, detectives followed up with the students involved and their parents. At this time, we have no reason to believe there was any sort of drink spiking, tampering or drug use. However, the agency said it will continue to investigate these reports and follow up on any leads that come in.

As part of the school district’s safety standard protocols, all students were searched prior to entry. Large bags were prohibited with only small clutch-type purses allowed and no outside food or drinks were permitted into the venue. The only concessions sold on site were sealed bottled water, pizza and Pelican’s SnoBalls.

The safety and well-being of students is always the top priority for CCSO and CCDS, who said they will take every report extremely seriously. Anyone with additional information regarding this is encouraged to call (904) 264-6512. You can also submit a tip through the SaferWatch app.

Inmate dies while in custody at Clay County Jail

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A woman inmate at the Clay County Jail died on Saturday, Sept. 19, despite lifesaving efforts by members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue.

Cecilia Rae Manning, 41, was pronounced dead after she returned from HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital after suffering a medical emergency earlier in the day.

According to a release from CCSO, she was given Narcan and taken to the hospital after the jail nursing staff said she was having an emergency at 12:40 p.m. She returned to jail after receiving treatment at 6:15 p.m.

She then suffered another medical emergency at 8:37 p.m. She was declared dead at 9:03 p.m. despite efforts by CCSO and CCFR to revive her.

According to CCSO, “There was no force used during her arrest or during her time in our jail. The cause of death is currently unknown and there were no obvious signs of trauma."

Manning was booked into the Clay County Jail for possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia on Sept. 18.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was notified and will be the primary investigating agency in conjunction with the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Macclenny man accused of DUI, leaving injured woman at scene

CLAY COUNTY – A Macclenny man was charged with driving under the influence and leaving a bleeding woman behind in his crashed truck on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Brian Ray Barefoot, 43, was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage and injuries, refusing to submit to DUI testing and failure to stop and render aide to an injured person following an accident after Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a truck crashed into a fence and ditch.

Deputies found a woman passenger with a cut on her forehead. But Barefoot was gone.

He was located 12 minutes later. According to the arrest report, Barefoot was bleeding from his mouth.

His speech was slurred and he had trouble understanding instructions, CCSO said. Barefoot also refused two attempts for a breath analyzer.

His bond was set at $44,009.