Hit-and-run suspect reportedly arms himself, takes refuge in Freeport home

FREEPORT, Fla. — A hit-and-run suspect who reportedly left the scene and took refuge in a home in Freeport armed himself and threatened to shoot deputies during a two-and-half-hour standoff that ended with his arrest, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), on Sunday evening, the agency received a call about a hit-and-run where the suspect vehicle left the scene and headed south on County Highway 83A East.

Deputies said when they caught up with the car, the driver immediately turned into an address on County Highway 83A West.

The suspect, identified at that time as Shane Fleming, 35, reportedly ran inside a building adjacent to the home. Fleming spent the next several minutes coming to the door, yelling, and slamming the door back on deputies, the WCSO said.

While deputies attempted to contact the home’s owner, Fleming reportedly fled into the main house on the property and again spent several minutes opening the front door, screaming, and then going back inside.

After the fourth time, Fleming allegedly came to the door with a handgun threatening to shoot at deputies and went back inside the adjacent building.

The owner of the home said he had let Fleming stay in the renovated building so he could get back on his feet but that he did not have permission to access the main house or the firearm, the WCSO said.

A perimeter was set up around the home, and SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Unit were called to the scene. After more than two and a half hours of negotiating, the WCSO said Fleming came far enough outside the building where deputies could tase him, taking him into custody safely.

Fleming faces charges for burglary, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest, threats to harm a public servant, and criminal mischief, the WCSO said.

Florida Highway Patrol charged Fleming with driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash.