FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – The Fernandina Beach Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting after an argument between two brothers ended in gunfire.
Fernandina Beach police and the Nassau County Sheriff's Office were called around 6 p.m. Wednesday to a domestic disturbance on Ocean Oaks Drive South.
Timothy Swenson, 48, told police his brother, Eric Swenson, 52, was upset because of a canceled job interview and a family wedding wherein he was not invited.
Eric Swenson (pictured) became combative and argumentative, eventually pointing a semi-automatic rifle at his brother's face, police said. Timothy Swenson grabbed the gun just as Eric Swenson fired the weapon at close range, and leaving the side of his face with powder burns.
The victim grabbed a hammer and struck Eric Swenson in the side of the head, momentarily disarming him, police said. At that time, Timothy Swenson and his 80-year-old mother, Sara Swenson, fled the home to a neighbor's house.
When officers arrived, 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, Fernandina Beach police said.
A perimeter was established, nearby homes were evacuated or neighbors were ordered to remain inside their homes, and the joint NCSO/FBPD Special Response Team was notified and activated, police said.
Authorities contacted Eric Swenson by phone. Police said he was instructed to leave all weapons inside the house and leave the home.
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, according to Fernandina Beach police.
The situation was resolved at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. At that time, Eric Swenson dropped the weapon and was taken into custody. Police said he was treated by paramedics with the Fernandina Beach Fire Department and was then taken to UF Health for further medical treatment.
The State Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were notified. Police said both agencies arrived to begin their investigations related to the use of force.