An off-duty St. Johns Sheriff’s Office sergeant was arrested Monday night and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after shooting his roommate in the feet during an argument.
Napolian Staggers, 48, of Ponte Vedra Beach, was arrested after deputies responded to a call at an apartment complex at 9:10 p.m. The victim was shot in the toes of both feet after Staggers reported fired a handgun in the ground and at both sides of the victim’s head. The victim also was struck with between two or three slaps, the arrest report said.
The victim was able to run to a neighbor’s apartment to call 911. The victim was released from the hospital on Tuesday.
Deputies said it appeared Staggers was intoxicated. The sergeant admitted to firing his handgun, but he claims to have blacked out when he did it, SJCO said.
According to the sheriff’s office website, Staggers was assigned to the 220-square-mile Southwest District, which includes portions of West St. Augustine and Hastings. According to SJSO, he wasn’t named in any disciplinary issues during his 17 years as a deputy.
After reviewing the incident, the sheriff’s office “separated Staggers’ employment” on Tuesday.
Staggers was ordered to surrender his gun to the sheriff’s office during his first court appearance on Tuesday. His bond was set at $25,000.
