Man Shot And Killed After Opening Fire On Escambia Deputies

October 4, 2022

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies returned fire killing a man that shot at them Tuesday morning.

The ECSO responded to the 100 block of Payne Road in Navy Point about 4:10 a.m. A woman told deputies that 36-year old Colin Merrill West was inside with a gun and had threatened her.

West first refused commands as deputies surrounded the home. Just over an hour later, he exited the door with a handgun and opened fire at deputies who returned fire, Sheriff Chip Simmons said.

“Here’s the deal. When you come outside with a gun in your hands, start shooting at us, you get what you get and that’s dead. When someone shoots you, there’s not much time for dialogue. There’s not much time for diagnosis. We tried that. We tried that for about an hour and he refused to come out,” Simmons said.

He said eight deputies fired at West. None were injured.

“This is not the way we wanted it to end. We gave him plenty of opportunities; he chose not to take those opportunities.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation, and the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.

The ECSO was already applying for felony warrants on West, and he was a convicted felon on probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon domestic violence, and false imprisonment (kidnapping) convictions out of Santa Rosa County in 2019.

Comments

14 Responses to “Man Shot And Killed After Opening Fire On Escambia Deputies”

  1. Molino Mom on October 5th, 2022 9:08 am

    WTG Chip Simmons! You are EXACTLY what Escambia County needed – someone with a backbone and I for one stand behind you 100%!
    And God Bless those Deputies for doing the right thing even though I’m sure they are not “happy” about HAVING to kill another human being. Prayers to them all and their families.
    Keep up the good work and know that we support you and your deputies.

  2. Jr on October 5th, 2022 6:01 am

    A man lost his life here…he lost it on purpose the way I see it. He had a choice and he chose to leave this world by being on the end of OUR GREAT DEPUTIES BULLETS. That’s a sad thing…for the deputies to have to live with. I know this Sheriff and I know where his heart is. So, when he goes in front of the camera and states “we didn’t want things to go this way” I believe him. I’m praying for the family of the one who doed and of course I’m praying for OUR DEPUTIES.

  3. StraightShooter on October 4th, 2022 8:08 pm

    Great outcome of situation. Saved us taxpayers a ton of money. Great to have a sheriff that doesn’t apologize for his deputies doing their job.

  4. Laura on October 4th, 2022 7:36 pm

    I respect authority and especially those whom wake every a.m, kiss their family goodbye, and go to work! You don’t know the person behind the gun being held at you, but you do know that you are just doing your job and protecting others!

  5. Good grief on October 4th, 2022 7:32 pm

    I do love our Sheriff! Great job Esc LEO’s.

  6. Esc co leo on October 4th, 2022 6:33 pm

    Admin leave is also to allow time for the mental health of the deputies involved. Justified or not, it takes a toll and some need time to process.

  7. A Alex on October 4th, 2022 6:28 pm

    Shooting range is paying off. Lol

  8. Susie on October 4th, 2022 5:20 pm

    Suicide by cop. They did exactly what they had to do and I’m betting the idiot knew that. Thank God no deputies were hurt but I have full faith in them. God bless our LEO’s.

  9. Dudley Herrington on October 4th, 2022 5:18 pm

    I Have a Great DEAL of RESPECT for Our Sherriff and His Deputies !!!
    I agree they should not be on administrative leave , just go back on the JOB !!

  10. Anne on October 4th, 2022 4:42 pm

    Officers should get an award for taking it to the felon.
    Love Law & Order and ECSO LEO.

  11. JTV on October 4th, 2022 4:05 pm

    Taking the trash out

  12. BD Epps on October 4th, 2022 2:48 pm

    That’s exactly right George. It should take about 5 minutes instead of a full investigation into this suicide by police mess . He could have came out unharmed but he chose to die . God Bless The Police

  13. Terri Sanders on October 4th, 2022 12:29 pm

    Suicide by cop…

  14. George on October 4th, 2022 12:25 pm

    These officers should not be placed on administrative leave. FDLE
    independent investigation should only take about 5 minutes.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News