CHRISTMAS TRAGEDY: Florida deputy shot dead on Christmas Eve responding to domestic violence call
FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA: Corporal Ray Hamilton, a sheriff's deputy, was fatally shot by named Timothy Price-Williams, 43, on Christmas Eve while he was responding to a domestic violence call on Saturday, December 24, 2022. Williams, who was shot in the arm during a gunfire exchange, allegedly opened fire on Hamilton from inside his residence. The deputy died shortly after 3 pm at the Fort Walton Beach – Destin Hospital.
Commenting on the arrest, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office stated on December 25, "A Fort Walton Beach area man is in the Okaloosa County jail tonight, charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the fatal shooting of an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputy. The OCSO had obtained a warrant for 43-year-old Timothy Price-Williams on a domestic violence battery charge today, but Price-Williams refused to exit his townhome at 710 North Park Boulevard. The OCSO Special Response Team was summoned to try to negotiate with Price-Williams to give himself up peacefully." Describing the details, the office further stated, "Several deputies, including Corporal Ray Hamilton, entered an area behind the backyard fence of the premises to help establish a safe perimeter. Once they got into position, shots were fired from inside the home and Corporal Hamilton was struck. He was rushed to HCA Fort Walton Beach - Destin Hospital where he succumbed to his injury shortly after 3 pm."
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"Price-Williams continued to refuse to exit, then came out in a manner that caused another deputy to fire on him, injuring Price-Williams in his right arm. He received medical attention at the hospital and was then transported to the jail on a charge of premeditated murder," the statement further read.
Who was Cpl Ray Hamilton?
According to DailyMail, Hamilton was a five-year veteran, who served on the Special Response Team and received countless awards for his service. Talking about him, Sheriff Eric Aden said, as quoted Yahoo!, "We are devastated by the grief of losing Corporal Hamilton, a deputy who was a ray of sunshine in the OCSO, dedicated to protecting others. We appreciate the endless stream of words of support that have come in for his family and his co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a profoundly loved and respected friend, public servant, and hero.”