SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Burglary Investigation Leads to Shots Fired and SWAT Standoff in Milton

At approximately 1:30 pm , two Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Property Investigators were conducting follow up investigations regarding the recent residential burglaries that occurred in Milton . The investigators had obtained the identity of a suspect in the burglaries and went to an address where he was believed to be staying. They went to that address, which was located at 6697 TrailRide South (Milton) to attempt to locate the suspect.  When the investigators arrived, they spoke to a female subject that was present at the residence. This female told investigators that the suspect was present inside the home and was located in a back bedroom. The female allowed the investigators to enter the home to speak with the suspect. When they went inside and approached the door to the back bedroom, the investigators heard a single gunshot coming from the bedroom.  The investigators immediately retreated out of the house along with the female that was present. Neither of the investigators was struck by the bullet. They immediately set up a perimeter around the house and requested that other deputies respond to the scene.  The SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators were dispatched to the scene. Homes in the immediate area were evacuated for safety reasons. The Okaloosa County SWAT Team Commander also arrived at the scene to assist Santa Rosa SWAT with the ‘BEAR CAT' (an armored vehicle). Negotiators were unable to make contact with the suspect inside the home. Once the SWAT team was in place, two ‘flash bang' diversionary devices were deployed through the front door of the home. There was still no movement or communication established with the suspect. SWAT members then used various video devices to look inside the window of the bedroom from which the shot was fired. The suspect was not seen in the bedroom. A thermal imaging device (provided by Skyline Fire Department) was then utilized by SWAT to do an exterior scan of the home to locate any heat sources inside the home in an attempt to locate the suspect. This was also unsuccessful. SWAT Team members then deployed chemical and OC gas into the house and gave commands over a PA system to the suspect. When the suspect didn't respond, the SWAT team made entry into the home and found the suspect in a different room with what appeared to be a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The suspect was still alive and conscious and was able to speak to SWAT team members. The suspect was removed from the home and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Life Flight at approximately 5pm . At the time of this release, the suspect is currently in surgery. His exact condition is not known. Sheriff's Office Investigators and Crime Scene Technicians are currently processing the scene on Trail Ride South. No further information is available at the time of this release. The suspect is identified as David Michael Ryan, W/M, 21 years old, from Milton .

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

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