WCSO DEPUTIES, CRISIS NEGOTIATIONS UNIT RESOLVE ARMED BARRICADE INCIDENT AT DEFUNIAK SPRINGS HOTEL WITHOUT INJURY
WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded early Saturday morning to an armed subject having a mental health crisis at the Red Roof Inn in DeFuniak Springs.
When they arrived at around 1:00 am, deputies discovered Patrick Thomas Newsome, 55, was alone in the hotel room armed with a 9mm handgun.
Newsome made no direct threats toward law enforcement or anyone else but did make threats to harm himself. During the incident, Newsome fired three to four rounds randomly inside the hotel room after deputies attempted to contact him.
Throughout the response, Newsome repeated called into dispatch talking with the Lead Communications Officer who is also a member of the Crisis Negotiator Unit.
After nearly four hours of communications with Newsome, he was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported to Newsome or any responding deputies.
Newsome has been charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm in public, using a firearm while under the influence, obstruction without violence, and criminal mischief.
This investigation is ongoing and Newsome is being provided additional mental health resources while incarcerated at the Walton County Jail.