Police Blotter

Car crash leads to shooting investigation on Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach

Deputies responding to a reported accident discovered evidence of gunshot victim who later appeared at local hospital with wounds.

Jared Williams

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A car crash call early Saturday morning turned into a shooting investigation after Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies found an abandoned vehicle and blood trail.

Deputies responded around 3:30 a.m. to reports of a car crash near 218 Racetrack Road. Upon arrival, they found a crashed van but no driver or passengers at the scene.

Investigators discovered evidence that someone who was bleeding had jumped a nearby fence. Shortly afterward, a Fort Walton Beach area man was located at an area hospital with a gunshot wound.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OCSO at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com, or via the P3 Mobile Tips application.

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