A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of a Mary Esther man near Crestview, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, when investigators say 20-year-old Kavari McQueen of Crestview and the victim were together in a vehicle and became involved in an altercation that escalated to gunfire shortly before 6 a.m.
After leaving the vehicle, both individuals entered the roadway. A passing motorist later found the victim’s body on Taylor Road off Lake Silver Road, north of Crestview. Deputies who responded to the scene discovered that the victim had died from multiple gunshot wounds.
McQueen allegedly left the area in the vehicle following the shooting. Investigators identified him as a suspect and took him into custody Wednesday evening in Tallahassee at around 5:30 p.m. He is currently being held at Leon County Jail on an open count of murder.
Authorities also executed a search warrant at a home in Crestview as part of their ongoing investigation.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation for assistance from other agencies, stating, “Our sincere thanks to the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Tallahassee Police Department and FDLE for their assistance.”
