Officer Involved Shooting

January
13, 2019

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a stolen vehicle this afternoon in the Callaway area. A description of the vehicle was disseminated to local law enforcement. A short time later the stolen vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, was located at a mobile home park at 2300 Sherman Avenue in Panama City. Deputies were able to identify the suspect as Steven Gregory Russell, age 37.

As
deputies approached the residence, Russell was heard to say that he had a gun
and then he threatened to hurt law enforcement with the firearm.

The
BCSO Hostage Negotiation Team responded and engaged the suspect in a
negotiation for several hours within the residence. At that point, Russell threatened
deputies with the firearm and was shot. He was taken to a local hospital for
medical attention.

The
Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been requested to conduct an
investigation into the incident, which is a standard practice.  Per BCSO policy, the deputy involved has been
placed on administrative leave.

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Prepared
by R. Corley

Information
by Capt. M. Branning

Approved
by Chief J. Heape