Man killed in officer-involved shooting following traffic stop in Bonifay

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Bonifay Monday night following a traffic stop.

According to Bonifay Police Chief Johnny Whitaker, a Bonifay police officer conducted a traffic stop at the Judy Lucas Apartments around 8:01 p.m. Monday, October 13.

Chief Whitaker stated the officer found probable cause to conduct a vehicle search and that while the officer was conducting the search, the suspect, described as a Black male wearing camouflage, fled the scene on foot, running west toward Holmes County High School through a wooded area.

At 8:19 p.m., Chief Whitaker began coordinating with Holmes Correctional Institution for K-9 assistance to track the fleeing suspect. While awaiting K-9 units, around 8:45 p.m., deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office observed an unknown male crossing U.S. 90near Dollar General and Bonifay Florist, though it was not confirmed to be the suspect. The search efforts then shifted to the south side of U.S. 90.

Whitaker reports that around 8:49 p.m.,Northwest Florida Reception Center K-9 team also arrived to assist with tracking the suspect. Within roughly 40 to 50 feet inside the tree line, officers discovered a large bag containing illegal drugs, a ball cap, and flip-flops believed to belong to the fleeing suspect. Whitaker stated the items in the bag, believed to have been grabbed by the suspect before he fled the scene, matched the description provided by the officer who initiated the traffic stop.

“The officer had already recovered illegal drugs from the vehicle,” Whitaker said. “In addition to that, close to five pounds of drugs were located in a bag that was left in the tree line.”

According to Chief Whitaker, the pursuit moved north of U.S. 90 around 9:19 p.m., at which time shots were fired. Whitaker was not present at the scene of the incident where the individual being pursued was shot but says he arrived shortly after and had officers secure the perimeter.

“At this point, I got on location and had the officers secure the site and got EMS enroute,” Whitaker said. “Upon EMS pronouncing them deceased, we shut the scene down and set up a crime scene.”

Chief Whitaker emphasized that the Bonifay Police Department’s involvement was limited primarily to the traffic stop and search. “That is pretty much our involvement,” he stated. “The traffic stop is ours, but the officer-involved shooting side is going to lie with DOC [Department of Corrections] at this point.”

Whitaker confirmed that although Bonifay officers were present with DOC personnel during the incident, no Bonifay police officers discharged their weapons. “We did have officers with them, but our officer did not fire their weapons, so FDLE is taking care of that investigation,” Whittaker said.

Chief Whitaker added that once FDLE completes its investigation, the department may release the body camera footage from the original traffic stop.

It has not yet been confirmed by FDOC or FDLE if the deceased individual was armed, and his name has not yet been released. Holmes County Advertiser has reached out to both agencies, but neither were able to comment on an ongoing investigation.