Man who shot himself in SWAT standoff accused of killing partner in St. Johns County
FLEMING ISLAND – The man who fatally shot himself following a standoff with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on March 7 was identified as the “sole suspect” in the murder of a St. Johns County woman.
Gregory Wayne Hopkins is suspected of being in a relationship with the woman at the time of the shooting. After she was shot, Hopkins drove to Country Side Drive and Summit Ridge Road and in the Eagle Harbor subdivision and rammed his car into an unoccupied home. He then was holed up in an upstairs bathroom, Sheriff Michelle Cook said.
“He refused to come out, so we have SWAT and negotiators here trying to negotiate a safe, ending to this situation,” Cook said.
CCSO alerted the sheriff’s office in St. Johns County to do a wellness check on the woman in the Fruit Cove area. They found her dead.
“We believe this to be a domestic violence incident and related to the active situation in Clay County,” a St. Johns spokesperson said. “Our investigation is underway.”
On Monday, SJCSO said, “The CCSO exhausted numerous resources and hours in an attempt to gain G. Hopkins compliance and resolve the situation peacefully. Ultimately, with the assistance of the JSO SWAT team, members of the CCSO SWAT team made entry into the residence and located the G. Hopkins deceased.”

71-year-old charged with molesting 13-year-old
ORANGE PARK – A 71-year-old man was arrested March 5 and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a 13-year-old girl.
James Lamar Wilson III, of Orange Park, was charged following an investigation that started on Feb. 26. According to the arrest report, the 13-year-old said Wilson groped her several times in 2019 and 2020.
Detectives conducted a controlled telephone call between the victim’s father and Wilson in which Wilson admitted his “sodium level was all screwed up” and he didn’t remember the incident.
His bond was set at $100,003.

South Carolina man jailed for punch CCSO deputies, K-9
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A man who fought with Clay County Sheriff deputies, including a K-9, after being accused of choking a convenience store clerk, was arrested on March 4 and put into the Clay County Jail with a $143,519 bond.
Reginald Tavone Figueroa, 29, of Marion, South Carolina, was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest with violence, battery on a CCSO K-9 officer, simple assault and simple battery following an investigation into a dispute on Feb. 15 at the Racetrac gas station at 3106 U.S. Highway 17 in Green Cove Springs.
Figueroa choked one employee, according to the arrest affidavit. When a CCSO deputy arrived, he was punched “approximately 20 times in the face with closed fists” by Figueroa. The deputy sustained cuts on his face, lips and eye. When another deputy arrived, Figueroa refused to get on the ground, so K-9 Chuck was released to make him comply. Figueroa struck the dog, then started punching the second deputy.
Figueroa was taken to Orange Park Medical Center for treatment after deputies gained control. He was arrested when he was released on March 4.
According to court documents, Figueroa also was cited for parking in a handicap spot at Racetrac.

Keystone city worker dies while cutting grass at cemetery
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – On Tuesday, March 9, Charles E. James, a part-time public works employee of the City of Keystone Heights, was found on the ground at the Keystone Heights Memorial Gardens by the City’s Public Works Director.
When emergency officials arrived, they found James trapped by a lawn mower. They pronounced James dead at the scene.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the death appeared to be either medical issue or an accident.
“The City extends our deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” Keystone officials said in a statement. “Mr. James began working with the City in January 2021, and despite the short time period of his City work, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those whose lives were touched by our dear friend.”

Jacksonville man jailed for 2018 construction robberies
OAKLEAF – A Jacksonville man was arrested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office following a rash of 2018 burglaries at construction sites.
Matthew Aaron Gourn, 38, was charged on March 5 with three counts of burglary and three counts of grand theft after three washers, three dryers and a range were taken at the Arbor Mill at Oakleaf Plantation subdivision.
According to the arrest report, Gourn had been in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office jail for similar burglaries at another construction site.
An arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 18, 2018.
Gourn now is in the Clay County Jail with a $95,018 bond.