MILTON, Fla. (WALA) – A 19-year-old man is behind bars following a robbery and shootout that occurred during an alleged drug deal gone wrong, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office (SRCSO).
Deputies responded to reports of gunfire Wednesday afternoon in the 7900 block of Kamie Court. Authorities say Noah Hoffman, the suspected dealer, attempted to rob two adults and a juvenile from Pensacola who had arrived at his residence to purchase drugs. A shootout ensued in the street, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The victims fled the scene in a Volkswagen sedan, which was later located in a Piggly Wiggly parking lot on Highway 87. Deputies recovered a firearm and a spent shell casing from the vehicle.
Meanwhile, deputies returned to the Kamie Court residence and called in the SWAT team while awaiting a search warrant. Hoffman attempted to flee through a back door but surrendered when confronted by K-9 deputies.
Inside the home, investigators recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
Hoffman was arrested on an active warrant and is being held without bond at the Santa Rosa County Jail, pending his first court appearance. He faces multiple charges, including:
Robbery with a firearm
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of a firearm with a removed serial number
Unlawful discharge of a firearm
Three counts of aggravated assault
Authorities said that charges against the other individuals involved are still under investigation.
