Tyson Found Guilty of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, Battery on Officers

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that David Tyson was found guilty by Nassau County jury of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement, two counts of Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, two counts of Resisting an Officer with Violence, and Unlicensed Carrying a Concealed Firearm. Tyson now faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable James Daniel will sentence Tyson at a April 26, 2022, hearing.

On March 28, 2021, a member of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office was driving his vehicle on American Beach when he was flagged down by beach security about a driver who was violating local ordinance by driving his vehicle on the beach. Law enforcement caught up to the driver, Tyson, as he was unloading his truck. Tyson ignored commands of law enforcement to remove the truck or leave the beach, instead telling officers they would have to arrest him. When the officers did initiate an arrest, Tyson physically resisted, struck an officer in the chest, took a fighting stance, and said he would shoot the officers. Tyson then grabbed a firearm from the driver’s side door, but an officer first disabled him using a Taser. Tyson was subdued and arrested.

The case was investigated by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Susan Haag and Donna Thurson.