OAKLEAF – A 32-year-old convicted felon was charged with attempted murder after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he opened fire at the father of his girlfriend's children during a pre-arranged child custody exchange Friday, Sept. 18, on Baybridge Court.

Darrius Elighah Winard Kirkland was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony child abuse after deputies said several of the bullets fired struck their car when they met the father to give him two children for visitation.

Nobody was struck by the gunfire, CCSO said, but several houses in the neighborhood were hit.

According to a prepared release, CCSO said Kirkland and his girlfriend drove to meet the father. But before arriving, Kirkland stopped to get an AR-style rifle and semiautomatic handgun. As a convicted felon, Kirkland isn’t allowed to possess a firearm or ammo.

According to the release, “Shortly after the arrival of the father in his vehicle, the young child of Kirkland’s girlfriend exited the vehicle they were riding in and began walking to her father’s vehicle. Kirkland also exited the vehicle with the rifle and pointed it at the father’s vehicle as he was getting out.

“Kirkland began firing the rifle numerous times at the father, who returned fire with his own pistol before retreating into neighboring yards. The father’s vehicle was struck by bullets numerous times while another young child was inside. The mother took cover on the ground during the exchange of gunfire but was able to retrieve both children and get them to safety when the shooting stopped. The mother and children were unharmed during the incident, and no one was struck by gunfire during the exchange. Several houses in the area were hit by stray bullets, but no one was injured.”

The father returned to the scene and surrendered to responding deputies. Kirkland attempted to flee in his girlfriend’s car. Deputies found the car crashed into a tree and on fire on Piedmont Manor Drive. Kirkland tried to hide in a backyard but he was quickly detained by a K-9 deputy. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries sustained to his legs.

He is being held at the Clay County Jail. His bond hearing was set for Monday, Sept. 21.

CCSO said the mother and father were cooperative and were interviewed by detectives. Although an arrest was made, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at (904) 264-6512 and ask to speak with Detective Sean Holmes. You can also submit a tip through the SaferWatch app, or by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing **TIPS.