WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — An armed home invasion reportedly led to a deputy-involved shooting early Friday in Walton County, leaving the suspect and one victim dead and another injured, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
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The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on October 31 in the Mack Bayou Pointe neighborhood. The caller told dispatchers that people inside the home had been stabbed and shot, the WCSO said.
Deputies arrived within minutes and reportedly heard gunfire coming from the residence on Beacon Way. Upon arrival, deputies encountered the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jared Andrew Keller, in the front yard and issued verbal commands for him to show his hands.
Mr Keller is said to have returned to the home and armed himself with a weapon. Deputies then engaged the suspect, who died at the scene, according to the WCSO.
Two victims of the home invasion, a brother and sister in their 70s, were transported to local hospitals. One was later pronounced deceased, while the other was treated and released with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the WCSO said.
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Investigators believe Mr Keller went to the residence looking for his mother, who was staying there as a caretaker. She reportedly escaped unharmed.
At the request of the sheriff, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has responded to investigate the deputy-involved shooting. The WCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau will handle the investigation into the home invasion and homicide, with assistance from the State Attorney’s Office.
