Port Orange Man Arrested for Firing at Officer

The Port Orange Police Department had an officer take fire on Sunday, the agency announced Monday. Fortunately no one was injured in the shootout, and 46-year-old Blake Taylor was arrested. The incident began on Sunday at 10:02 p.m. when Taylor called the POPD, the agency says. He reportedly told the dispatcher that there were around 15 unknown people in his yard on Orange Avenue. He requested that police come out to respond to the situation. An officer with the POPD did come to Taylor’s residence. Upon arrival, they reportedly found him lying on the ground next to a brick planter. The POPD says he appeared to be trying to hide in the darkness. Taylor then began shooting at the officer, the POPD says. The officer returned fire and called for backup. Units with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Edgewater Police Department came to the scene and Taylor was arrested. Since Monday Taylor has been in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond. He’s been charged with attempted felony murder, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. At the scene, police recovered a semi-automatic pistol.