Deputies recognized for actions following fatal shooting

DESTIN, Fla. — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has recognized three deputies for their actions following a fatal shooting in Destin this past December.

Honored with Certificates of Commendation for their actions were deputies Niklas Mlynarski, James Atkins, and James Bininger.

According to the OCSO, on December 15, 2021, a man was shot outside Lucky’s Rotten Apple in Destin and the suspect took off from the scene.

Deputy Niklas Mlynarski arrived and immediately began attending to the victim with chest compressions and other aid while simultaneously gathering suspect information from witnesses to give to responding patrol units.

The victim, however, did not survive.

Deputy James Atkins was driving on Highway 98 when he spotted a man matching the suspect’s description in the parking lot of the Village Inn. He confronted the suspect and began chasing him after the man took off.

Deputy Atkins detained the suspect at gunpoint while waiting for backup units to arrive.

Meantime Deputy James Bininger (on right) learned a possible female suspect was involved in the incident and she and the male had rented a room at the Village Inn.

She was located and detained and a search warrant was obtained for narcotics in the room, according to the OCSO.

Each of the deputies played an integral role in the arrest of a violent offender and the recovery of illegal drugs, the OCSO said in a press release.