Deputies with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched Friday morning at approximately 2:09 am, in response to a physical disturbance call at the Executive Inn at 9424 Front Beach Road. Deputies arrived minutes later and made contact with a female victim of the assault.

The victim provided a physical description to deputies and identified the suspect as Andrew Grande, a white male, DOB 9/23/86. At 2:18 am, a deputy encountered Grande in the front parking lot of the Executive Inn. Grande attempted to flee, but deputies were able to stop him.

Deputies attempted to handcuff Grande and were able to place a handcuff on one wrist. During the struggle, deputies observed Grande was attempting to place something in his mouth. Grande managed to free himself and stand and deputies deployed a taser in an attempt to gain control. Grande was able to pull the taser probes from his body. Shortly thereafter deputies observed that Grande seemed to be choking and attempted to use the Heimlich maneuver on Grande but were unsuccessful. Deputies continued to provide aid until EMS arrived at 2:26 am. EMS was unable to gain a clear airway on Grande until, using a pair of forcepts, they pulled a large bag of marijuana out of his airway. Grande was transported to Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Frank McKeithen has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conduct the investigation of this incident and extends his sympathy to the family of Mr. Grande.

A deputy injured during the physical altercation with Grande has been treated and released from Gulf Coast Medical Center. The three deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave per BCSO policy.