Crestview, FL — Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves One Dead After Hours-Long Standoff on South Ferdon Boulevard
Just before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, officers with the Crestview Police Department discovered a suspicious vehicle parked at a closed business in the 1600 Block of South Ferdon Boulevard (State Highway 85). What began as a routine welfare check quickly escalated into a tense and tragic standoff that lasted nearly three hours and ended in an officer-involved shooting.
According to authorities, officers made contact with a lone male subject inside the vehicle. During the encounter, officers determined the individual was armed with a firearm and was making suicidal statements. In an effort to preserve life and prevent harm, police crisis negotiators engaged with the subject, attempting to de-escalate the situation and encourage him to surrender peacefully.
For almost three hours, officers continued their dialogue with the man, urging him to put down his weapon and accept help. Tragically, the standoff reached a breaking point when the subject suddenly pointed a firearm at one of the responding officers. In response to the imminent threat, police discharged their weapons, striking the individual. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene.
No officers were physically injured during the incident.
In accordance with departmental procedures, the Crestview Police Department immediately requested the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. As the case now falls under FDLE jurisdiction, Crestview Police officials stated that all future inquiries regarding the details of the officer-involved shooting will be directed to FDLE investigators.
Meanwhile, the incident has led to significant traffic disruptions in the area. Ferdon Boulevard (State Road 85) remains closed between Duggan Avenue and Goodwin Avenue while authorities process the scene and collect evidence. Police are urging drivers to avoid the area entirely or prepare for extended delays, as all traffic is currently being diverted around the closure.
The Crestview Police Department also emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability while acknowledging the tragedy of the loss of life. Crises involving suicidal individuals with access to firearms remain among the most dangerous and challenging situations for law enforcement to handle.
As FDLE continues its investigation, more information about the identity of the deceased individual and the full circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to be released in the coming days.
