A 23-year-old Fort Walton Beach man died early Tuesday after being shot outside a house on Maples Street.
He is the third victim of a homicide in a recent string of fatal crimes in the city. The shootings are unrelated, said Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Ted Litschauer.
According to FWBPD, officers arrived at 23 Maples Street at approximately 1 a.m. and found Keyontray Damar Henry lying on the sidewalk in front of the home.
A friend was administering first aid to Henry, who was shot in the forearm and abdomen.
Officers were told Henry had been shot by an unknown person or persons, the news release said.
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department and Okaloosa County EMS responded to the shooting, and Henry was flown by helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he later died.
Witnesses at the residence told officers they heard gunshots. When they went outside, they found Henry, the news release said.
The fatal shooting is the third homicide in Fort Walton Beach this year. In 2014, there were none.
Police Chief Ted Litschauer has been with the city’s police department for nine years. He said this is the first time since he has been with the department the city has had three homicides in one year — not to mention two within a week of each other in June.
The first occurred on the evening of June 11 when a man heard a gunshot outside his residence on Cape Drive. When he looked out the window, he saw Randy Campbell dead on the ground.
Less than a week later, on June 17, 89-year-old Freddie Cason was shot and killed outside the home he lived in for more than 40 years.
Litschauer said there does not appear to be any links between the three homicides.
Investigations into all three shootings are ongoing.
At this time, the only common factor is that all three victims were shot to death. None of the victims were shot with the same caliber gun, Litschauer said.
“The purpose or motives we believe is different in all three,” he said. “The persons involved have all been different.”
Despite the increase in homicides, Litschauer said, the community does not have to live in fear.
“Fort Walton Beach is a safe place,” he said. “None of these incidents appear to be a random selection. These were predetermined victims. The general population doesn’t need to be worried.”
Homicide investigations can stress the resources of a police department of any size, Litschauer said.
The cases will remain a top priority for the department, he added.
“These incidents are always disconcerting,” Litschauer said. “They make people uneasy. But we have a good success rate of identifying perpetrators and making arrests.”
POLICE SEEKING INFORMATION:
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is currently investigating the incident. If you or someone you know have information, please contact Sgt. Matthew Holt or Det. Andrew Washburn at 833-9900.
Citizens can contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 863-TIPS (8477) or submit a web tip at www.emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com or text “TIP214” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Jennie McKeon at 850-315-4432 or jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennieMnwfdn.