Disturbance in quiet neighborhood leads to shooting

Fernandina Beach Police Department
Press Release
Submitted by James T. Hurley, Chief

July 23, 2015, 6:43 a.m.

swenson
Eric Swenson

The Fernandina Beach Police Department and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance at 2736 Ocean Oaks Drive South after an argument between brothers ended in gunfire.

Timothy Swenson, 48 years of age, reported that his brother, Eric Swenson, 52 years of age, was upset because of a cancelled job interview and a family wedding wherein he was not invited. He became combative and argumentative, eventually pointing a semi-automatic rifle at his brother’s face. Timothy grabbed the gun just as Eric fired the weapon at close range, and leaving the side of his face with powder burns. The victim grabbed a hammer and struck Eric in the side of the head, momentarily disarming him. At that time both Timothy Swenson and his elderly mother, Sara Swenson, 80 years of age, fled the residence to a neighbor’s house.

As officers arrived at the scene Eric Swenson retreated back into the house where he claimed to have an AR-15 Assault Rifle and he threatened to use the weapon against responding officers. A perimeter was quickly established, neighbors were evacuated or ordered to remain inside their homes, and the joint NCSO/FBPD Special Response Team (SRT) was notified and activated. Contact was made by phone with Eric Swenson and he was instructed to leave all weapons inside the residence and exit the house. After repeated phone calls, where an agitated Eric Swenson ignored commands and often hung up with negotiators, he was seen raising and aiming the weapon and was shot once in the arm by an SRT officer from the NCSO. The situation was resolved at approximately 7:30 PM.

At that time he dropped the weapon and was taken into custody and treated at the scene by Fernandina Beach Fire Department Paramedics and then transported to UF Health for further medical treatment.

The State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were both notified and both responded to the scene to initiate their investigations related to the use of force. Media inquiries related to the police-involved shooting should be directed to Sheriff Bill Leeper or the FDLE.

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Patricia Eason
Patricia Eason (@guest_40892)
8 years ago

Curious why, when Baptist Nassau was just blocks away, was the man transported 25 minutes away to UF hospital?

Chett Lyncker
Chett Lyncker (@guest_40899)
8 years ago
Reply to  Patricia Eason

Baptist Nassau is not a trauma center, the state has criteria based on the severity of the injury that requires that someone be transported to a state certified trauma center. There are requirements for these centers that they have specialist such as Trauma Surgeons, ect. On site 24 hours a day.
This is the same with strokes and heart attacks, each of these centers have the capability, personnel and proper equipment to handle these specific events. If a patient with one of these conditions is transported to a regular ER they will be stabilized and then transported to a proper facility, which causes th patient to receive proper care later than they would if initially taken to a specialty center.

Hope this helps.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago
Reply to  Chett Lyncker

Thanks Chet. Is UF Health the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the Jacksonville area?

Chett Lyncker
Chett Lyncker (@guest_40910)
8 years ago
Reply to  Dave Lott

Mr. Lott,
Yes as of right now UF downtown is the closest level 1 in the region. UF in Gainesville is the second closet level 1 and is also the closest burn center.

Lola White
Lola White (@guest_40894)
8 years ago

yea i know all about the ncso swat team we had a situation and they used it as a training exercise duh they had to call in jax swat to help resolve one issue with a single person they were here all night and the next day then after they got the man out they went to mcdonalds and bragged about it so i know all about the ncso swat team lol.

Stephen Coe
Stephen Coe(@stephen-coe)
8 years ago
Reply to  Lola White

Looks to me like the SRT handled the situation in a professional manner. The neighbors were protected and the alleged suspect was safely incapacitated and detained. Kudos to whoever made the decision to shoot to wound rather than kill (and whoever took and made the shot.) In too many instances in other jurisdictions a kill shot is utilized when it is not necessary.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago

Patricia, pure speculation on my part but I suspect that his wound was not considered life threatening and since there was no question that he was going to be incarcerated, UF Health has the physical facilities to deal with criminals undergoing medical treatment.

Bob Wesche
Bob Wesche(@bwesche6gmail-com)
8 years ago

My wife and I live right next door to the Swenson’s and we were in our home when the shooting & arrest took place on Wednesday evening. We would like to express our thanks & commend the Fernandina Beach Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Team and the FDLE for their prompt, comprehensive, well-organized professional handling of this trying situation. The officers who spoke to us were very courteous, forthcoming with information and displayed a keen sense of duty. I apologize for not recalling your name but special thanks to the officer who diligently manned a strategic position around our lanai, focused on the house net door, while also checking to see if we were in our home. Also, speaking with FB Chief Hurley in our driveway at the conclusion, the Chief could not have been more concerned, calming and thoughtful for and about our neighborhood.
Thanks very much to all the women and men for your efforts in bringing this situation to as relatively calm conclusion as possible.
Sincerely, Bob Wesche