FDLE investigating Holmes County officer-involved shooting that left one man dead

HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A 58-year-old Holmes County man is dead after a situation involving a deputy escalated on Thursday night.

Holmes County Sheriff John Tate said this is a tough case, but claims the deputy was forced to make a split-second decision during a life-threatening situation.

“This is a very hard case for me not only because my deputy was involved, but I’ve known this family for 25 years. I was actually married into this family,” Tate said during a press conference on Friday.

The sheriff’s office says on July 23, at 11:08 p.m., they got a 9-1-1 call from a female, later identified as the deceased’s daughter. She reported that her father, Steve Smith, was intoxicated and had reportedly fired a gun in the direction of her and a friend.

According to law enforcement, during an interview with investigators, she said that Smith had made suicidal statements, which prompted her to come to his house.

“She went over there to talk to him and de-escalate the situation, and when they arrived, he fired shots toward them, which prompted the 9-1-1 call,” Tate said.

The sheriff’s office said the first deputy arrived at the home around 11:22 p.m. and made contact with the daughter in the yard. She told the deputy her father had gone inside.

The sheriff’s office said that when the deputy tried to make contact with Smith, he began yelling and shoved the deputy.

Smith then reportedly reached behind his back into his waistband and then pointed a gun at the deputy.

The sheriff’s office said that is when the deputy discharged his weapon, striking Smith.

“The deputy was forced to make a split-second decision during a life-threatening encounter and acted appropriately under extreme, stressful circumstances,” Tate said during the press conference.

Additional deputies arrived at 11:28 p.m., secured the home, and began rendering first aid to Smith. Holmes County EMS arrived at 11:35 p.m. and took over care. Smith died from his injuries.

Tate said Smith did not have a criminal history.

“Ultimately, Mr. Smith made those choices, and our deputy acted appropriately, with being able to save his own life,” Tate continued.

At the request of the sheriff, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded and assumed the independent investigation of the shooting, which officials said is standard procedure in incidents of this nature.

The deputy involved was not injured.

The entire incident was captured on the deputy’s body-worn camera. The sheriff’s office said a copy of the footage will be released within the next few days. Photos from the incident have already been released.

We will keep you updated as the investigation continues.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating an officer-involved shooting in Bonifay.

Authorities say they are still on scene on Alex Brown Road.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been contacted to conduct an independent investigation per protocol.

No additional information has been released.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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