SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFFS OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff's Office Arrests Suspect for Murder and Attempted Murder after Early Morning Shooting in Jay

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Jay, Florida man after an early morning shooting that occurred on Country Mill Road in Jay , Florida . Robert Franklin Floyd (W/M, 21 years old) of the 3400 Block of Country Mill Road, Jay, Florida was arrested early this afternoon on an open count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred shortly after midnight last night at Floyd's home on Country Mill Road . A party was being held at Floyd's residence in which numerous subjects were in attendance. While the party was occurring, a vehicle occupied by four subjects from Brewton , Alabama arrived. There were two black male occupants in the vehicle. One of the subjects inside the vehicle was Getyron Lopez Benjamin (B/M, 18 years old) from the 100 Block of Grandberry Street, Brewton, Alabama . The subjects exited the vehicle and a verbal altercation occurred between Floyd and one of the subjects. Floyd stated that the subjects were there uninvited. Floyd requested that the subjects leave the premises, and words were exchanged between Floyd and the subjects from Brewton. The subjects refused to leave, at which time Floyd allegedly pushed one of the black males and told them once again to leave. Floyd alleges that at that time, the black male which he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd then ran to his truck which was parked nearby. Floyd then retrieved a rifle from his truck and stated that he heard gunshots being fired from the area in which the black male subject's vehicle was located. Floyd also alleges that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction. Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck. After a short time, Floyd decided to contact the Sheriff's Office to make them aware of the situation. When deputies arrived, they spoke with Floyd and gained the above mentioned information. Numerous rifle shell casings were located at the scene. A short time later, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office was contacted by Brewton Police Department in Alabama stating that the vehicle that had left Country Mill Road in Jay had arrived at the hospital in Brewton. One of the occupants, Getyron Lopez Benjamin, was pronounced deceased at the hospital from a gunshot wound from the previous incident. The other occupants of the vehicle were interviewed and stated that they did not observe any of their vehicle's occupants produce a firearm. No firearm has been located as of the time of this release. It is also not known if Benjamin was the subject that Floyd had alleged brandished the handgun. Floyd was interviewed by investigators throughout the morning and was taken into custody on the above mentioned charges. He is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail with no bond. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

Robert Franklin Floyd

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit (850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net