PORT ST. JOE, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Port St. Joe Police Department has released additional information regarding an officer-involved shooting on Friday.
The PSJPD has released the name of the subject involved as well as the officers present at the incident. Authorities say they responded to a call on August 15 at around 3:42 p.m. regarding a repo driver trying to repossess a vehicle that had fled a scene after a crash.
Police say, a white Ford Fusion was located with an expired temporary tag belonging to Tikila Walker, in North Port St. Joe. A brief attempt to stop the vehicle was terminated by Sgt. Sherrell Morrison.
Then, at around 4:19 p.m., a hit-and-run was reported involving the Ford Fusion, with the complainant not pressing charges, police say. The vehicle was found by Sgt. Morrison, who began speaking with Walker and the repo driver, de-escalating the situation.
Officers were then dispatched to a Sunstop convenience store in Highland View in reference to a hit-and-run involving Walker’s vehicle, which was reportedly being blocked by a repo truck at 5:52 p.m.
The PSJPD also received a department call regarding reckless driving by Walker.
The vehicle was then located by PSJPD’s Sgt. Morrison and Officer Jerry Lee at 6:01 p.m. at 249 Avenue C.
Walker was found in the driver’s seat, armed with a 16-inch filet-style knife with a silver blade, refusing to drop the weapon.
According to authorities, attempts to de-escalate the situation were made for several minutes.
A Gulf County Sheriff’s Deputy and Officer Allan Edwards then arrived on scene to help, with a deputy then breaking a car window to deploy a taser, officials say. The taser was deployed seven times with no effect, and Walker swung the knife toward the deputy.
Walker then charged Sgt. Morrison with the knife after exiting the vehicle, officials say. According to the PSJPD, Sgt. Morrison discharged his firearm twice, and Officer Lee discharged once.
Police say Walker was shot once in her upper arm and once in the pelvic area.
Officials say authorities then disarmed and gave life-saving medical aid to Walker until EMS arrived and took her for treatment.
Authorities say full video footage will be released. This is an active investigation; more information will be provided.