Hammer attack by teen at St. Johns County park linked to rape investigation

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A teen is behind bars in St. Johns County, accused of attacking another teen with a hammer at Aberdeen Park.

Jayquan Taylor told deputies the attack was in retaliation for an alleged rape. Now that claim has led to another investigation involving students who attend Bartram Trail High School.

The teen that was attacked was not the intended target, according to Taylor’s arrest report. It all happened in one of the parking lots at the popular park.

“I don’t like it and I don’t like my son being involved in it,” said Tiffany Haddock.

Haddock says her son Jared is friends with 18-year-old Taylor.

The report says Taylor admitted to deputies he went to the park to fight and threw a hammer inside a 19-year-old’s car, hurting that guy’s arm.

Deputies say the alleged rape suspect Taylor intended to fight was in another car at the park but drove off.

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“Apparently they had been battling on social media all day about a fight,” Haddock said.

Taylor told deputies the fight was in retaliation for the alleged rape of one of Taylor’s friends by one of the young men at the park.

“I don’t like it and I’ve told them not to take matters in their own hands,” Haddock said.

Haddock said the alleged sexual assault victim filed a report Monday.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office confirms they are looking into those claims.

The victim and other young men listed in the fight report did not return Action News Jax’s calls.

Haddock said Taylor actually took the tire iron and hammer from her house without her knowing. As of Monday night, the teen was still in jail.

Cox Media Group