A 37-year-old man was shot and killed by deputies on Thursday, June 19, 2025, after he confronted law enforcement with a knife inside an Arby’s restaurant located on Highway 98.
Shortly before 3:00 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were alerted that the man, who was wanted for several felonies, had been spotted at the restaurant. The active felony warrants stemmed from a June 13 incident and included charges of domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated assault for allegedly holding a screwdriver to a victim’s throat, burglary, and grand theft.
Deputies arrived on scene and located the suspect in the parking lot. Upon seeing the deputies, the man fled into the restaurant. Deputies pursued him inside, where he jumped over the counter and physically struggled with one of the deputies, reportedly pushing the deputy to the ground. The suspect then grabbed a large knife from behind the counter.
Three deputies continued the pursuit and gave repeated verbal commands for the suspect to drop the weapon. The man refused, instead pulling items from his pockets and tossing them to the ground while holding the knife. Employees who were also behind the counter pleaded with him to surrender.
The suspect then turned and moved aggressively toward the deputies with the knife in hand. All three deputies discharged their firearms, striking the man multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies were injured during the incident. The three deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave as per department policy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.