Okaloosa Deputy shot in Shalimar

Northwest Florida Daily News ^ | 9/22/2015

[saminfl]

By From staff reports

Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 8:40 AM Updated at 9:44 AM

9:32 a.m. Update SHALIMAR—An Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy was shot early Tuesday outside an attorney's office on Plew Avenue, according to an OCSO news release. The OCSO communications center received a call reporting gunshots at 8:20 a.m. According to early reports, the gunshots were fired outside the Cotton and Gates law firm. Capt. Ryan Christen, spokesman for the Ocean City Fire Control District, said a medical helicopter was called and later canceled. The suspect in the shooting is located in a room at the Comfort Inn in Niceville. The public is asked to avoid the area around 148 John Sims Parkway. A portion of John Sims Parkway and State Road 85 North have been closed to traffic as part of the investigation into the shooting, the news release said. Plew Avenue in Shalimar also has been closed. Schools in both Shalimar and the Niceville area are operating under "enhanced security procedures," said Henry Kelley, School District spokesman. Those schools are Niceville High School, Ruckel Middle School, Meigs Middle School, Shalimar Elementary School, Edge Elementary School and the STEMM Center. "School continues as normal, but we have enhanced perimeter security," Kelley said Previous Coverage: The Dollar General in Shalimar is on lockdown following an 8:20 a.m. report of shots being fired in the area. Shots were fired outside the Cotton and Gates law firm, according to early reports. There are early reports of an "officer down," according to Michele Nicholson, spokeswoman for the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Capt. Ryan Christen, spokesman for the Ocean City Fire Control District, said a medical helicopter was called and later canceled. A possible suspect's car has been identified and is being pursued. It might be en route to Niceville, according to early reports. Schools in the area are operating under "enhanced security procedures," said Henry Kelley, School District spokesman. By From staff reports Northwest Florida Daily NewsBy From staff reports Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 8:40 AM Updated at 9:44 AM

[saminfl]

I was right by the Comfort Inn in Niceville and there must have been at least 15 police cars around the street next to the hotel. More cars were coming past me. I saw one police officer reach into his car and get a rifle. Later, I saw a deputy get a shotgun from his car. After being there for about 15 minutes, the deputies had me back up, make a uturn and go back the way I came.

[Red Badger]

Hope they get the bastard!............................

[PghBaldy]

WEAR ABC 3 Rob Brown ‏@RobBrownWEAR 13m13 minutes ago

LIVE on #Periscope: Stand off with suspect who allegedly shot Okaloosa Sheriff's Deputy.

https://twitter.com/weartv?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

I don't know who else is covering it, but thought people would want to know if they can access Periscope (which I cannot).

[Red Badger]

UPDATE:

Posted Sep. 22, 2015 at 8:40 AM
Updated at 10:28 AM

SHALIMAR—An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy is in critical condition after being shot early Tuesday outside an attorney’s office on Plew Avenue, according to an OCSO news release.

The OCSO communications center received a call reporting gunshots at 8:20 a.m. According to early reports, the gunshots were fired outside the Cotton and Gates law firm.

Capt. Ryan Christen, spokesman for the Ocean City Fire Control District, said a medical helicopter was called and later canceled.

“Our crews didn’t know it was an officer until they arrived on scene,” Christen said. “Our company provided advanced life support to the victim.”

The suspect in the shooting is located in a room at the Comfort Suites in Niceville. The public is asked to avoid the area around 148 John Sims Parkway. Multiple portions of John Sims Parkway and State Road 85 North have been closed to traffic as part of the investigation into the shooting, the news release said.

Plew Avenue in Shalimar also has been closed. The east gate to Eglin Air Force remains closed.

Schools in both Shalimar and the Niceville area are operating under “enhanced security procedures,” said Henry Kelley, School District spokesman.

Those schools are Niceville High School, Ruckel Middle School, Meigs Middle School, Shalimar Elementary School, Edge Elementary School and the STEMM Center.

“School continues as normal, but we have enhanced perimeter security,” Kelley said

[basil]

Probably a smart move—with that many guns around, and people shooting them, I would surely want to get away from there!

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

WEAR is reporting that the suspect has been taken into custody. That happened at 10:21.

[CyberAnt]

Do I have to assume that the ambulance was cancelled because the officer died ..????? Or, was the wound superficial and treated at the scene ..????????

[saminfl]

The local paper says the deputy is in critical condition. I guess he is in the Fort Walton Beach hospital rather than flying him to Pensacola.

[CyberAnt]

I’ll send prayers. Thanks for the info.

[saminfl]

The deputy passed away a little after two this afternoon. The local paper said he was shot multiple times in the back and once in the head. I am not sure, but I think I might have known him from years ago.