JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 36-year-old Middleburg man was arrested Wednesday after authorities said he walked along a road on Jacksonville’s southwest side, waving an AR-15-style rifle at passing vehicles and threatening to shoot several people.
Anthony Ryan Hagan faces six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill following the Oct. 7 incident on Short Horn Road, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Hagan was also taken into custody on an outstanding trespassing warrant.
The investigation began when the Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls reporting a man walking along Short Horn Road within Jacksonville city limits while approaching vehicles and waving a rifle.
Additional callers reported that the man was threatening to shoot people, leaving several residents fearing for their lives, according to deputies.
Investigators identified Hagan as the suspect and located his residence.
Clay County patrol deputies, Task Force personnel and SWAT units responded to the property and established a perimeter around the home.
While SWAT members monitored the residence, Hagan entered a vehicle and attempted to leave, authorities said.
Deputies moved to stop him because of the reported threats and the potential danger to the public.
During the attempted departure, Hagan drove his vehicle into a ditch before surrendering to deputies.
He was taken into custody without further incident. The Sheriff’s Office did not report any injuries during the arrest.
“This is a prime example of how our patrol and specialty units work together to keep our community safe,” Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said. “We had a dangerous and erratic individual who posed a serious threat to our community; thanks to the quick response and coordination of our team, he was taken off our streets safely and promptly.”
The Sheriff’s Office did not disclose whether the rifle was recovered or provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged threats.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 904-264-6512.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through SaferWatch or First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing **TIPS or texting SAFEFC to 738477.