Bond Set At $1 Million For Cantonment Suspect That Shot At Deputy

September 22, 2015

Bond has been set at $1 million for a Cantonment man that allegedly opened fire on an Escambia County deputy Thursday night before holding deputies at bay during a two hour standoff.

Christopher Allen Payne, 19, is charged with felony assault on an law enforcement officer following the incident in the 1500 block of Crystal Drive.

Payne’s family called for Escambia County EMS, thinking he might be having a heart attack after taking an illegal substance. Sheriff David Morgan said the family believed the man had ingested some type of narcotics, possibly LSD.

Payne kicked his family out of the, barricading himself inside with two rifles and a shotgun, Morgan said. The Sheriff’s Department SWAT team was called to assist, and neighboring homes were evacuated as a  precaution. A Sheriff’s Office hostage negotiator was able to reach Payne on the phone and establish a rapport, Morgan said. Payne was eventually talked into a peaceful surrender.

Payne appeared in Escambia County Circuit Court Monday. He is due to be back in court for an arraignment hearing in just over two weeks.

Comments

10 Responses to “Bond Set At $1 Million For Cantonment Suspect That Shot At Deputy”

  1. Stephanie Jordan-Price on September 26th, 2015 12:32 am

    As one of his former teachers, I was utterly shocked when I heard about this. Chris was an honors student, football player, and had a very promising future.

  2. David Huie Green on September 25th, 2015 8:45 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Because it was a cop that he shot his bond is that high??”

    Or so low?
    Random shooters are dangerous to all.

    David for safe children

  3. REALLY on September 23rd, 2015 12:32 pm

    Because it was a cop that he shot his bond is that high??

  4. 20 year police on September 23rd, 2015 12:23 am

    Sadly, what will happen is they will continue this case for about a year then he will plea out to a lesser charge of “whatever” that does NOT have the min/man to save the taxpayers the cost of a trial. Happens all the time. The SA gets their win, no one cares. We have shootings all the time and very rarely do you see it NOT pled out to a lesser charge. How many times on this website have you seen someone’s VAST criminal history and wonder why the suspect isn’t rotting in jail? Now you know.

  5. Mike on September 22nd, 2015 3:40 pm

    Under Florida law, the prosecutor in a case is the only person eligible to waive any mandatory minimum. The only way a judge can issue a waiver is if he or she were to sentence the defendant as a youthful offender, which would cap the maximum penalty at 6 years of any supervision whether it be prison or probation. One of the qualifications for a youthful offender sentence is that the defendant be no more than 20 years of age at the time of the sentence

    He has a slim chance, according to the above.

  6. Mike on September 22nd, 2015 3:34 pm

    Thanks Kane, I did not know that. I guess the very best lawyer can’t help him, too bad.

  7. Kane on September 22nd, 2015 1:31 pm

    Even if he isn’t charged with anything else he will still go to prison for 20 years under the 10-20-Life law for firing a gun at an occupied vehicle. He has no chance of any lesser penalty a judge can not give him a different sentence as this is mandatory no parole no gain time for this he has screwed himself.

  8. Oversight on September 22nd, 2015 12:52 pm

    “David Morgan said the family believed the man had ingested some type of narcotics, possibly LSD.”

    Drug education time. LSD is not a narcotic drug. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic drug. Narcotics are drugs produced from a base of opium. The word narcotic comes from the Greek word narcosis, which describes drugs that dulled the senses, numbed, and/or treated pain.

  9. David Huie Green on September 22nd, 2015 12:40 pm

    Some simply have no sense of humor when you try to kill them.

  10. Mike on September 22nd, 2015 10:45 am

    Wow, this high of a bond does not bode well for his future, best of luck to Mr. Payne. A terrible decision to do drugs has permanent consequences. Must’ve been a very, very bad “trip” to cause him to decide to shoot at a police officer.

    Here’s hoping his family can afford a great lawyer with connections downtown & in Tallahassee. :(