Crime
16-Year-Old Shot and Killed by Off-Duty Deputy During Shoplifting Confrontation at Walmart in Poinciana
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old male was shot and killed Thursday evening during a confrontation inside a Walmart store in Poinciana, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said the incident occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m. at the Walmart located at 904 Cypress Parkway.
An off-duty deputy working security at the store was alerted by a loss prevention officer that three individuals were allegedly concealing merchandise inside their clothing.
As the deputy and store personnel attempted to make contact near the front of the store, one of the suspects reportedly fled while holding a firearm. Sheriff Blackmon stated that the deputy discharged his weapon, striking the armed individual.
“Our deputy fired downrange at the suspect and took him out,” Blackmon said during a media briefing.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities later confirmed he was a 16-year-old resident of Poinciana. His name has not been publicly released.
The two other individuals who were reportedly with the teen fled the store immediately following the shooting.
Early dispatch information indicated that two male subjects wearing dark clothing left in an unknown direction, prompting a coordinated search effort.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted Osceola County authorities with perimeter operations and area searches. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, and a K-9 unit was deployed to assist in tracking.
By Friday, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the two additional individuals had been identified and accounted for.
One is a juvenile and the other is an adult in his 20s. It remains unclear whether charges will be filed.
Polk County deputies cleared the scene later in the evening, and the investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities confirmed that the deputy involved in the shooting was not injured.
In accordance with standard protocol for deputy-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force.
Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains active.
Additional details, including further information about the deceased teen, are expected to be released as the inquiry progresses.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.