PANAMA CITY — A man who witnesses said was walking along a rural road with a rifle and acting strangely was fatally shot after he opened fire on a Bay County sheriff’s deputy sent to check on him, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office released a statement with limited details about the incident. This took place on Sept. 3 in Fountain. The release did not identify the man or the deputy involved.
The release didn’t specify a location, either, but images released by the Sheriff’s Office show ample law enforcement staged at U.S. 231 and Webber Road.
The release says BCSO received multiple calls about a man walking along Webber Road carrying a rifle and acting strangely. One comment on Facebook says the man pointed a gun at them and another car, prompting them to contact authorities.
A deputy arrived at the scene at 8:30 a.m. Within seconds, the suspect opened fire on the deputy, according to the Sheriff’s Office, and the deputy returned fire. The altercation lasted 33 seconds, according to the release.
The deputy gave emergency medical help to the suspect, with emergency medical services later responding to the scene. First responders took the man to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The deputy who was involved was placed on administrative leave, per their policy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County deputy fatally shoots man who opened fire on him, Sheriff’s Office says
Reporting by Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
