The suspect accused of shooting an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy is in custody after engaging local authorities in a shootout in Niceville.
According to a press release, the suspect was apprehended around 10:21am and transported to a local hospital for injuries. The deputy who was shot by the suspect early this morning is entering surgery and is in critical condition, authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Office believes the suspect opened fire outside an an attorney’s office on Plew Avenue in Shalimar around 8:21am. An Okaloosa County Deputy was critically injured in the shooting.
In an attempt to flee, the suspect wound up barricading himself inside a hotel room at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Niceville. A shootout ensued between the suspect and local authorities, but the man was taken into custody without any injuries to law enforcement.
Sheriff Larry Ashley has announced that the agency will hold a news conference today at 3 p.m. at the OCSO Headquarters, 50 Second Street in Shalimar for working news media.
Additional details will be released at that time.