Additional Coverage:
A Walton County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a shootout Wednesday afternoon outside a Dollar General store.
Deputy Will May, 38, responded to a trespassing call at the store in Mossy Head, near DeFuniak Springs, around 2 p.m., according to Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. After a brief conversation, Deputy May escorted the suspect outside. The suspect then drew a weapon and fired on Deputy May, who returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
Despite wearing a ballistic vest that stopped several rounds, Deputy May was struck by a bullet that went under the vest. He radioed for help, and responding deputies administered aid. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries four hours later.
Sheriff Adkinson praised Deputy May’s courage and tactical proficiency, stating there was “absolutely nothing tactically wrong” with his actions. The Sheriff expressed shock and disbelief, adding that there was no indication the suspect was capable of violence, and Deputy May had not intended to arrest him.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, possessed a concealed weapons permit and had other weapons in his home, but no prior arrests or history of violence. At least 18 rounds were exchanged during the shootout. No one else was injured.
Deputy May, who also served as a communications officer for the department starting in 2014, became a deputy in 2019. He was not scheduled to work Wednesday but volunteered to come in.
The trespassing call was his last of the shift. He leaves behind a wife and two teenage children.