Robbery suspect opens fire, arrested after high-speed chase: WCSO

WALTON COUNTY, Fla.— A suspect in a Friday morning robbery in Miramar Beach is in custody after opening fire during a pursuit with deputies that ended on Interstate 10, according to a statement by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).

According to the statement, just after midnight this morning, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle near Sue Lane and County Highway 183 South.

The suspect reportedly immediately opened fire. Units continued to pursue the car eastbound into Holmes County on Highway 90, and then south onto State Highway 81, where the suspect turned westbound onto I-10, the WCSO said.

Once the pursuit entered Interstate 10, the WCSO said the suspect repeatedly threw money out of the window and pointed a firearm at deputies and troopers,

DeFuniak Springs Police Department was able to spike the vehicle at the 85-mile marker, but the suspect continued hitting speeds more than 100 miles per hour, according to the WCSO.

SEE RELATED STORY: Circle K robbed at gunpoint: WCSO

At this point, Florida Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office set up spikes at the 56-mile marker, where they reportedly successfully spiked the vehicle for a second time.

The WCSO said the car came to a stop at mile marker 53, where the suspect exited shooting. Responding agencies reportedly returned fire, injuring the suspect. He was transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

According to the WCSO, a female was also taken into custody.

While several patrol vehicles were hit with gunfire, no deputies or troopers were injured. At least six patrol vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, the WCSO said.

As of 5 am Saturday, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, along with Florida Highway Patrol, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are currently on scene at mile marker 53, westbound on I-10.

At 5:20 am Friday, a white male entered the Circle K on Poinciana Boulevard in Miramar Beach with a gun and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Throughout the day, a suspect was developed.

FDLE will be investigating the deputy-involved shooting portion of the incident.

Westbound lanes of Interstate 10 were still shut down Saturday morning. Drivers are asked to use the Crestview exit to Highway 90 as an alternate route until the investigation is completed.