Okaloosa County Sheriff Speaks on Officer Involved Shooting

Viewed: 1082

Posted by: Staff
Date: Sep 23 2022 8:27 AM

OKALOOSA COUNTY:Sheriff Eric Aden today praised the composure and training of two Okaloosa County Sheriff’s

Office deputies confronted by an armed man who fired shots during a domestic violence

related incident in Destin Wednesday. When the 45-year old suspect fired at deputies who

had responded to the call of an armed disturbance at a home under construction on

Sailmaker Lane, they returned fire. The suspect was hit multiple times and died at the scene.

"First and foremost our deputies are safe. Our citizens are safe. They did an incredible job

of controlling the situation despite the stress of a violent encounter, " said Sheriff Aden. "They

not only moved people out of danger when they first arrived, they communicated well and

moved toward the threat to protect our citizens".

An autopsy was to be conducted today. Sheriff Aden says the OCSO was working to

confirm the suspect’s identity, but he’s believed to be an undocumented immigrant who had

been deported from the U.S. in 2012. He had been living in the Fort Walton Beach area.

Investigators say his ex-wife was working in the area when the suspect showed up at the

construction site with a gun, forcing her to run for safety. Although he fired a shot at her

inside the house, she was not injured.

<- back