An altercation that erupted in the Town of Orange Park, Florida, on August 30, led to a high-stakes confrontation between a suspect and Clay County Sheriff's Deputies. According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the incident began when Mark Allen Gulden, 63, became involved in an incident with a firearm at a location on Kingsley Ave. The suspect was then subsequently located at the Clay Electric Cooperative building on Blanding Blvd.
Upon the deputies' arrival, they found Gulden actively firing at the building and gate controls. Ignoring verbal commands to drop his weapon, Gulden reportedly pointed his firearm in the direction of the officers, prompting one deputy to quickly discharge their weapon. The bullet did not hit the suspect, who later threw the firearm down but continued to defiantly refuse to comply with deputies' orders. Eventually, the deputies were able to safely tase and apprehend Gulden.
No injuries were reported among the deputies or the suspect during the arrest. It was also discovered by investigators that Gulden had shot the glass front door of another unoccupied business on Kingsley Ave. before the incident at the electric cooperative. The swift coordination between the Orange Park Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff's Office was instrumental in apprehending the suspect without further harm to individuals or property.
Gulden faces charges including two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting a Law Enforcement Officer with Violence, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Mischief.
