Anyone know what was going on? About 8 sheriffs cars and undercovers went flying down towards Pompano Joes w/ lights on. About 5 minutes later, they came roaring back the other way on 98.....

Anyone know anything about this?

I saw and was wondering the same thing.

__________________
If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

Not yet, nothing on the news. Is there something going on up there or did someone's car backfire?

__________________

That must be why I just saw several sheriffs' cars flying that way on 98.

__________________
If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.-Rachel Carson

395 North blocked off. Can not get home. Hearing all kinds of rumours. Armed bank robber, etc.? If you are down 395, lock up and get safe, something is up!

__________________
"You are your choices"
www.lifeonshore.com
http://bobbyjblog.com

Seven gunshots fired at 331 and 98 according to our cable guy who was there, was chased away by WCSO just as shots were fired.

Heard from a neighbor that there was a high-speed chase that ended in a crash and they are in pursuit of that person in the Point Washington area. He is wearing blue pants and possibly no shirt. Considered dangerous and may be armed.

Again, not sure I got the facts right, but please be careful.

Hope everybody at Tom Thumb, TDC, and the Annex are ok.

__________________

About 20 minutes ago my neighbor reported the chase on Bay Drive and it was blocked off. Hope they get 'em

There are unconfirmed reports of a manhunt ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies.
Do not attempt to confront anyone one foot in the Point Washington area at this time. Call 911 and report his location. The man is described as a white male, goatee, no shirt, blue shorts.
Again, this is unconfirmed information at this time. More information as it becomes available.

__________________

Manhunt in progress in Point Washington | point, manhunt, washington - Breaking News - WaltonSun.com

__________________

Searching all cars and checking all I.D.s

Manhunt in progress in Point Washington | point, manhunt, washington - Breaking News - WaltonSun.com

There are unconfirmed reports of a manhunt ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies.
Do not attempt to confront anyone one foot in the Point Washington area at this time. Call 911 and report his location. The man is described as a white male, goatee, no shirt, blue shorts.
Again, this is unconfirmed information at this time. More information as it becomes available.

__________________

thanks. both schools in Pt Wash are on lock down now. a friend called to tell me this, and also said there were a ton of cops driving in Pt Wash up395 N from 98. my doors are locked.

I hear a helicopter circling overhead. Perhaps they're looking for someone. Hope no one was hurt. Too much violence in the news lately.

From the Walton Sun Web site:

It has now been confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies during a high speed chase eastbound on U.S. Highway 98.
The car chase ended when the suspect turned north on Bay Drive (CR 283N) and crashed his truck in the woods and fled on foot.
Bay County cannine unit is on scene as well as law enforcement officers from FWC, DOT, Okaloosa and Bay counties. A helicopter is also in the area.
Do not attempt to confront anyone on foot in the Point Washington area at this time. Call 911 and report his location. The man is described as a white male, goatee, no shirt, blue shorts, brown hair. Again, do not attempt to confront this man. He is armed and has fired shots at law enforcment officers.

As I came from the First National Bank And Trust in Santa Rosa Beach (next to the post office) I saw a blue Dodge Ram Pickup truck flying down Highway 98 doing speeds in excess of 100 MPH and being chased by 8 Walton County sheriffs deputies. As I went East bound on 98 towards my work I went down Bay Drive because a deputy speedily went down there as well. There was a deputy directing traffic at gun point searching vehicles for what he described as an armed assailant. I asked him what happened and he said the assailant had robbed a bank and shots had been fired.

Be very cognizant of this if you or anyone you know lives in the Santa Rosa / Point Washington area. I can't confirm if the two events (the chase and the bank robber) are related but it seems likely they are one in the same. I also can't confirm if the assailant did indeed rob a bank but that's what the deputy told me as he hurried me to turn around. The deputy has his gun pulled and a bullet proof vest on so it's safe to say something serious is going on right now.

It has now been confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies during a high speed chase eastbound on U.S. Highway 98.
The car chase ended when the suspect turned north on Bay Drive (CR 283N) and crashed his truck in the woods and fled on foot.
Bay County cannine unit is on scene as well as law enforcement officers from FWC, DOT, Okaloosa and Bay counties. A helicopter is also in the area.

__________________

It has now been confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies during a high speed chase eastbound on U.S. Highway 98.
The car chase ended when the suspect turned north on Bay Drive (CR 283N) and crashed his truck in the woods and fled on foot.
Bay County cannine unit is on scene as well as law enforcement officers from FWC, DOT, Okaloosa and Bay counties. A helicopter is also in the area.

__________________

It has now been confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies during a high speed chase eastbound on U.S. Highway 98.
The car chase ended when the suspect turned north on Bay Drive (CR 283N) and crashed his truck in the woods and fled on foot.
Bay County cannine unit is on scene as well as law enforcement officers from FWC, DOT, Okaloosa and Bay counties. A helicopter is also in the area.

__________________

From The Walton Sun Web site:

It has now been confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing at Point Washington near Mitchell Street. The man being hunted by law enforcement officials is armed and has been firing at deputies during a high speed chase eastbound on U.S. Highway 98.
The car chase ended when the suspect turned north on Bay Drive (CR 283N) and crashed his truck in the woods and fled on foot.
Bay County cannine unit is on scene as well as law enforcement officers from FWC, DOT, Okaloosa and Bay counties. A helicopter is also in the area.
Do not attempt to confront anyone on foot in the Point Washington area at this time. Call 911 and report his location. The man is described as a white male, goatee, no shirt, blue shorts, brown hair. Again, do not attempt to confront this man. He is armed and has fired shots at law enforcment officers.

Allegedly the assailant robbed a bank. Thats what I was told when I was attempting to go down Bay Drive. An armed deputy was directing traffic and gun point and checking cars. I also saw what seemed to be an intense chase [10 minutes before I went to Bay Drive] with speeds in excess of 100 MPH on Highway 98 with 8 Walton Deputies following a Blue Dodge Ram pickup truck

bay elementary and south walton montessori are on lock down and there are helicopters flying overhead. heard someone shot at a cop.

Praying to keep all the kiddos and school staff safe!!!

I love this site... My husband called & asked me to turn on the news to find out what was happening. I told him I'd look here first because the news would be faster...

Thank you Kurt for sowal.com!!!

thanks all for the updates.

right now, the entire area is blocked off, from 395 N & 283 N. Jdarg is sitting in traffic waiting for car pool, but blocked from entry at the moment. SWGB is calling everyone he knows in Pt Wash with warnings to lock your doors. thank you friend!

and I was outside walking the entire neighborhood an hour ago. egad. these kinds of situations are unheard of around here.

Helicopter was flying above my house for about 5 minutes, I'm next to Bay School.

__________________
"The only thing worse than being stood up is dating." NoHall

"If you are going to be stupid, you better be tough".
Sunspotbaby

Preliminary reports indicate one deputy has been injured after a bank robbery suspect ran into the deputy with his truck.
The suspect took off eastbound on Scenic Highway 98 and there were reports of shots fired at deputies.
A witness was having drinks about 1 p.m. at the Whale's Tail restaurant when the events began to unfold. He said a Walton County deputy pulled over a blue Dodge pick-up truck. When the deputy approached the car in front of Majestic Sun, the suspect turned violent.
"The guy pulled a gun and stuck it out the window and popped off three shots at him and missed," the witness, who asked not to be named, said.
The witness said the suspect headed east down Scenic Highway 98 and then must have made a U-turn somewhere.
"Here came the truck back westbound with four deputies chasing him," the witness said.
Okaloosa County K9 units are in route to assist in the search for the suspect. He reportedly wrecked his blue Dodge pick-up truck near Chat Holly Road in Walton County in a wooded area.
Not much information is available at this time. Lawmen are in pursuit of the suspect.
Check back soon for more details.

__________________

Preliminary reports indicate one deputy has been injured after a bank robbery suspect ran into the deputy with his truck.
The suspect took off eastbound on Scenic Highway 98 and there were reports of shots fired at deputies.
A witness was having drinks about 1 p.m. at the Whale's Tail restaurant when the events began to unfold. He said a Walton County deputy pulled over a blue Dodge pick-up truck. When the deputy approached the car in front of Majestic Sun, the suspect turned violent.
"The guy pulled a gun and stuck it out the window and popped off three shots at him and missed," the witness, who asked not to be named, said.
The witness said the suspect headed east down Scenic Highway 98 and then must have made a U-turn somewhere.
"Here came the truck back westbound with four deputies chasing him," the witness said.
Okaloosa County K9 units are in route to assist in the search for the suspect. He reportedly wrecked his blue Dodge pick-up truck near Chat Holly Road in Walton County in a wooded area.
Not much information is available at this time. Lawmen are in pursuit of the suspect.
Check back soon for more details.

__________________

SWGB - Thanks for the heads up. You're wonderful.
and Thanks for SoWal.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

no more sound of the helicopter. Must have caught him

Lock your doors!

It's still flying overhead. I'm in the Daughettes off Bay Drive.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

No problem Dune-AHH, I'm pretty sure I've called everyone I know in the area. Stay put and keep your doors locked.

__________________

yikes!

Off the FB site
Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. is looking for a robbery suspect that led deputies on a car chase in s. walton. The suspect is a white male with blue shorts, no shirt with brown hair and a goatee. He was last seen in the area of Highway 283 and 98. He is armed and dangerous. Please stay out the area and if you are at home in the area lock your doors. Pt Washington Preschool, S. Walton Montessoi and Bay Elem Schools are locked down at this time.

__________________

Holy crap...Im just leaving to get my kids at Butler....stay safe everyone...

helicopter keeps doing circles around the area of East Mitchell.

__________________
WARNING: Things posted by this user may offend some people. All things posted above are the opinions of poster and not necessarily the opinions of this site..or anyone else for that matter. They might not even make sense or be suitable for children. Come to think of it, they might be unsuitable for adults or human consumption. Have a nice day.

Thanks, SWGB...our roving reporter. I am locked in with 3 black dogs. Hope our deputies stay safe and capture the idiot!! I have a feeling he won't come out of the woods alive, either by his own hand or by a cautious deputy. If a deputy has to do something, my heart goes out to him/her (the deputy) that's got to be tough to live with.

__________________
"The only thing worse than being stood up is dating." NoHall

"If you are going to be stupid, you better be tough".
Sunspotbaby

Considering he hit a deputy with his truck (don't know if he was in a car or not, hope he was) and fired shots I'm betting they are shooting to kill.

__________________

My sister- Billie Gaffrey made it out of the neighborhood safely. Bay Elementary currently on lock down. Call the school for pick up info.

Hey, can you guys move to the thread in All About Sowal? I am sending links to non-members so that they can stay updated.

Thanks! I can still hear the helicopter!

All About SoWal 150 viewing.

__________________
Get Outdoors!

I no longer hear a chopper over Daughettes.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

Lawmen used spike strips to try and stop the suspect, but it didn't work. The white male wearing blue shorts and no shirt made it as far as U.S. Highway 283 in Walton County and was northbound when he hit a patrol car and then wrecked his truck in the woods. Godwin said the suspect fired at deputies again before he ran into the woods.
Okaloosa County K9 units were dispatched to assist in the search for the suspect and helicopters are scanning the ground looking for him. The suspect is reported to have brown hair and a goatee.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office has placed Point Washington Preschool, South Washington Montessori School, Bay Elementary School and the preschool at the local Methodist Church on lockdown because the suspect is armed and on foot.
"Parents, please don't go try to pick up your children and stay in side and keep your door locked," Godwin cautioned.

the chopper is back over daughettes

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

Holy crap!! Lock your doors and stay safe everybody.

__________________
Proud to practice indoctrination
at least when it comes to the GATOR NATION

I live in the Shallows off E. Point Washington. Any new developements at this time?

Wow ... thanks for the reporting, stay safe everyone.

__________________
Proud to practice indoctrination
at least when it comes to the GATOR NATION

At 2:15 I received an automated call from the WCSO stating that they are still looking for the suspect and to remain inside with locked doors.

@SWBG

Where did you get that second preliminary report come from?

same here.

I just called Bay Elementary (my kids are students there) and it's on lock down and the buses won't be loaded. They told me the school will remain on lock down until they hear from a deputy that everything has been resolved. Don't go try to pick your kids up!

2nd UPDATE 2:24 P.M.
Chick Huettel said he was standing in his yard when he heard a bullet hit the side of his house. He said he dove under the house and hid as the suspect ran by him waiving a gun.
Huettel is a resident on Mitchell Avenue.
After the suspect left his yard, law enforcement officials asked Heuttel to watch for the suspect from his dock. Heuttel is a former law enforcement officer.
As he was speaking to The Sun, both Huettel and his wife, Cathy, said they heard another shot fired.

Please go to All About SoWal forum for updates...
http://www.sowal.com/bb/all-about-so...tml#post604292

We were just told, by phone by a parent waiting near the school, that the SO told them the kids will be taken by bus over to the high school ...

A friend just told me that the kids were going to be bused to SoWal High for pick up there.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

My sister just called me and said that there are parents parking on the side of the road on the South side of 98 at 395 and crossing traffic to speak to the patrol cars that are blocking Pt Washington Rd. Parents, the kids are safe in the school don't panic and endanger your own lives and others!

I confirmed with Cindy, Bay Elementary's secretary, students are being loaded in the buses now and being transported to SoWal Highschool for pick-up

all of these threads about this need to be tied into one thread if possible.

__________________

Parents with children at Bay schools should go to South Walton High School. All students from the elementary schools in Point Washington are being transported to the high school as the school is in a lock down.

DeFuniak Springs, FL (August 28, 2009) – Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies are currently looking for a suspect in the Point Washington area. The suspect led deputies on a chase down Highway 98 ending on Highway 283. Currently all traffic is stopped at Highway 283 and at Highway 395. Deputies and other Law Enforcement agencies are in the area searching for the suspect. Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson urges residents in the area who are at home to remain indoors with doors and windows locked. Residents should not open their doors for anyone other than a uniform patrol deputy. It is important that residents do not go outside for any reason. If they see anyone suspicious around their home or neighborhood they should call 911 immediately.

Point Washington Preschool, South Walton Montessori School, and Bay Elementary School are currently in lock down. The students from Bay Elementary School are being bused from their school to the South Walton High School under deputy escort. Parents can go to the South Walton High School to pick up their student.

__________________

2:32 p.m.
Parents with children at Bay schools should go to South Walton High School. All students from the elementary schools in Point Washington are being transported to the high school as the school is in a lock down.

2nd UPDATE 2:24 P.M.
Chick Huettel said he was standing in his yard when he heard a bullet hit the side of his house. He said he dove under the house and hid as the suspect ran by him waiving a gun.
Huettel is a resident on Mitchell Avenue.
After the suspect left his yard, law enforcement officials asked Heuttel to watch for the suspect from his dock. Heuttel is a former law enforcement officer.
As he was speaking to The Sun, both Huettel and his wife, Cathy, said they heard another shot fired.

__________________

Bay Elementary School students were being loaded onto Walton County buses and taken by deputy escort to South Walton High School about 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon so parents could pick them up safely. The other schools placed on lockdown are not Walton County public schools and other arrangements were still being made for their extraction from the area, Godwin said.
"We're still not letting normal traffic down those roads, yet," Godwin said.

Walton County bus number 06-09 from Emerald Coast Middle School is being
re-routed to South Walton High School. The Students who ride that bus
can be picked up from the South Walton High School. per WCSO

__________________

There is a notice flashing on TV (WJHG - Medicacom ch 7)

that kids are being bused to the SHERIFF SUB STATION for pickup.

Don't know what's true.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

Walton County bus number 06-09 from Emerald Coast Middle School is being
re-routed to South Walton High School. The Students who ride that bus
can be picked up from the South Walton High School. per WCSO

__________________

My kid is stuck on the high school bus. I'm at home in Pt Wash and can't go get him. Wondering if they will let him off the bus if I send someone from the restaurant to pick him up.

Tootsie, you guys alright over there?

__________________
Quit whining and RUN!!

word from Daughette neighbors: suspect is in a house on W. Mitchell surrounded by cops. (just got this via phone from franny)

we're good. send someone to pick him up.. or get in your car and go - surely you can leave the neighborhood to get your kid? I think the suspect has been located but not captured.

The last post is the last info I have.

__________________

Update Walton County bus number 06-09 from Emerald Coast Middle School is being re-routed to South Walton High School. The Students who ride that bus can be picked up from the South Walton High School.

I think the news flash changed to say the pick up @ high school.

__________________
When you want to Dance ~ Put on your RED Pants!

Thanks to everyone for keeping us "long-distance" wannabe SoWallers up to date.

__________________
Sic 'Em Woo Pig Sooie

kids at South Walton Montessori Academy (SWMA) are about to get on a bus. parents can pick up kids at South Walton High School. just received this report from the school (3:38pm)

It is being reported that the suspect may be holed up in an unocupied house (reported by the next door neighbor's son) on East Mitchell. The OSO, WSO, FWC, and FBI are surrounding the house.

__________________

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
http://www.myspace.com/dannyburnssongs
Common sense is all too uncommon in our world today.

UPDATED: Bay students being transported to high school due to manhunt in progress




August 28, 2009 2:10 PM



2:32 p.m.
Parents with children at Bay schools should go to South Walton High School. All students from the elementary schools in Point Washington are being transported to the high school as the school is in a lock down.

2nd UPDATE 2:24 P.M.
Chick Huettel said he was standing in his yard when he heard a bullet hit the side of his house. He said he dove under the house and hid as the suspect ran by him waiving a gun.
Huettel is a resident on Mitchell Avenue.
After the suspect left his yard, law enforcement officials asked Heuttel to watch for the suspect from his dock. Heuttel is a former law enforcement officer.
As he was speaking to The Sun, both Huettel and his wife, Cathy, said they heard another shot fired.

UPDATE: According to David Reynolds at 221 Mitchell Avenue, there are "three canine units in the area and several law enforcement officers."
Reynolds said at 2:05 p.m., law enforcement officials did come through his backyard searching for the individual.
Reynolds said all of the neighbors have been good about contacting one another and keeping each other up to date on what is going on.
Both Point Washington Schools are in lockdown at this time. No traffic is being allowed into the area. Everyone is urged to avoid the area

It is being reported that the suspect may be holed up in an unocupied house (reported by the next door neighbor's son) on East Mitchell. The OSO, WSO, FWC, and FBI are surrounding the house.

__________________

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
http://www.myspace.com/dannyburnssongs
Common sense is all too uncommon in our world today.

that is correct. all students from Bay and South Walton Montessori are being transported by bus to South Walton High School for parents to pick them up there.

thanks AM. I heard this too. until we hear officially, everyone please stay inside with doors locked!

Copied this from the Walton County Sheriff website.....


The Walton County Sheriff's Office is currently in the Point Washington area searching for a robbery suspect.

Students from Bay Elementary School are being bused to the South Walton High School. Parents may pick up their children at the high school.

The suspect is Matheos S. Pitikas DOB 10/16/84. He is a white male 5' 6" 175 lbs. He was wearing blue shorts and no shirt. He has brown hair and a goatee. He was last seen in the East Point Washington area. The subject is considered armed and dangerous.

We are still urging people in the area between Highway 285 and Highway 393 to stay in their home and keep their doors locked. Do not unlock your doors under any circumstances unless a uniform patrol officer ask you to do so.

This dude is about to make the biggest decision in his life.

A deputy at the school told us they have not located the suspect yet, they are still searching.

395 is now open. Suspect believed to have stolen a vehicle and was seen in Inlet Beach but not positive ID yet. Police still searching both locations.

WJHG in PCB reports the search is still on, a deputy was shot and the suspect supposedly got a ride in a gray pick-up and is believed to be in the area north of Rosemary Beach close to Inlet beach. Latest info I have, sorry, no more.

Just a rumor! He is still in Pt Washington somewhere.

WTF? Does anyone actually know if we can leave our homes, or if anyone can enter the area?

I left East PW to get my son at 4. They let me back in at 5ish. A friend called SWSO and they said he has not yet been caught. Helicopters are circling right now over Eden Drive.
I am not sure if anyone can get up Bay Drive yet or not.

__________________
Quit whining and RUN!!

Is he actually in Inlet Beach? Or is it really a rumor? Where is everyone getting their information, because I can't find a news station. Only a Facebook, news article and this thread.

Highways open to residents with identification

Comments 0 | Recommend 0
August 28, 2009 5:58 PM

Staff Reports
Daily News
Highway 283 will be opened up to local traffic only. Proof that you live there must be presented to obtain entrance, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Highway 395 is also open to traffic.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/sus...uty-truck.html

__________________

Just got off the phone with Sherrif's office & the only thing they could confirm is that they have not apprehended him yet...

NBC channel 7 reported that tidbit, but they also said the preschools were still on lock down (which they are not).

Just now the helicopter was flying very low over the bayou area near Eden State Park, circling several times and there are police boats heading out to the Intracoastal and heading west.

__________________

Update 6:00 p.m.
County Road 395 and Highway 98 are now open to traffic. County Road 283 is open to local traffic only. You must show proof of residence to travel on 283. Residents in the area between County Road 283 and County Road 395 are being urged to be on alert. The map shown on News 13 Live at Five was incorrect due to a typo in a release from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office although the verbal information was accurate.

My husband just left the neighborhood and he was told they are still searching and his truck was searched thoroughly!

Just spoke with a friend that spoke with a SO Deputy at Shades on the east end of 30A, suspect has NOT BEEN captured, still on the run in Inlet Beach area.

__________________
"Every cloud has a silver lining"

www.BeachToBayProperties.com
www.BeachToBayPropertySolutions.com

I live across the street from Shades and we have been told to stay in our homes becaseu they have not found the man yet.

Anything new? I'm ready to go eat.

Oh No.....I hate that it is getting dark
and they haven't found him yet!

Go eat. This could go on all night....(but hopefully not!).

We are off E. Pt. Washington- dogs and police officers just walked up the street. They have let us back in, but have not caught the guy. We are leaving soon- I am pissed that we were allowed to come home and they have no idea where he is.