Ramon Taveras is planning to move from Duval County, Florida, after surviving an assassination attempt last week.
According to Taveras, armed men drove up to his mother’s house in Jacksonville, Florida on July 29 and attempted to kill him. Taveras also fired shots in defense, a video of which was posted by the UFC fighter. Taveras was fortunate to escape unharmed, but he and his family no longer feel safe in their home.
Taveras said his brother was killed by gun violence in 2019 and he fears he could become the same victim. He accused the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office of neglect towards “underprivileged” areas of the city.
According to Taveras, the JSO also tried to blame him for a recent assassination attempt, accusing gangs of involvement. Taveras, a UFC featherweight, is now planning on moving out of Jacksonville. Taveras detailed the situation in an Instagram post:
I’m sorry to have to post this, but this cannot be swept under the rug. On Monday, July 29th, 2024 at 10:05pm a group of armed men drove up to my mother’s house and attempted to take my life. By the grace of God, I escaped unharmed and was able to grab my gun and fight back in self-defense.
This city is unforgiving and it’s even worse that JSO does nothing to solve the problem. I lost my brother to gun violence in 2019 and the killer has yet to be caught. Now I find myself in almost the same situation.
JSO did the bare minimum for my brother and now they are doing the same for me. They assumed I was targeted because of “gang violence” or problems I caused. I don’t cause trouble for anyone, I live my own path and focus on my work and family. Even after I explained this, they continued to insinuate that I was involved in something that led to this.
No one is perfect and everyone has a past. However, I am a lot different than who I was 10 years ago. It is terrifying when an incident like this happens out of nowhere. I see my life and my family through a completely different lens. This is a daily reality in my city. I am not the first, nor will I be the last. I am tired of remaining silent about my brother’s case and I refuse to let this incident go unnoticed. Many other families in my city have endured similar situations and are crying out for justice just like my family.
My family feels unsafe and I worry for my children who nearly lost their father trying to change their lives. I love my city so much and it is tragic that I have to leave. I use this situation to condemn the JSO’s incompetence and disregard for the less fortunate areas of the city. They seem unconcerned whether lives are lost or endangered. I’ve had enough! This was supposed to be a memorial post. I could have lost my life like my brother did or someone else could have lost theirs trying to take mine. I will no longer be silent. I ask for your support in spreading this message as far as I can. “I am blessed and happy to be alive but I am leaving Duval.
Taveras won a split decision over Serhii Sidi in his promotional debut at UFC 297 in January, avenging his loss to Sidi on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2023. Taveras was scheduled to make his second Octagon appearance at UFC 304 in Manchester last month but withdrew due to what he called a “severe injury.”
