An early morning incident on September 10 in South St. Augustine ended with the fatal shooting of Bradd Sweeny, 45, by deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO). A 911 call initiated by a concerned citizen reporting a male figure, later identified as her neighbor, lurking in her backyard led to the confrontation. The panicked resident on 1st Street near Brainard Drive had discovered Sweeny and described an unsettling encounter with him the previous day, as detailed in the official SJSO statement.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, responding deputies found Sweeny in the street wielding a handgun. Disobeying deputies' orders to leave the weapon on the ground, Sweeny re-armed himself, prompting deputies to fire their weapons. They aimed to protect themselves and nearby citizens, despite the firearm on the pavement, initially laid down by Sweeny. Despite immediate medical attention, Sweeny was pronounced dead at the scene, with a live round found chambered in his handgun.
The incident, captured by body worn cameras and residential video surveillance, is under investigation. Sweeny's past includes a series of episodes within the community, such as trespassing and altercations, suggesting ongoing tensions in the neighborhood.
Both Deputy Joseph Mailloux, with four years at SJSO, and Deputy Kristapher James, a six-year veteran, were involved in the shooting. Neither of the deputies were physically harmed during the encounter, despite one of them finding Sweeny brandishing a firearm. As per protocol, they have been placed on administrative leave. The investigation into the shooting continues to unfold with the SJSO delving into the details of this tragic event.
