WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WDNews) — Two men were arrested following separate gun-related incidents in Walton County within a 12-hour period, including one in which authorities said a man fired a shotgun round at deputies.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, to North Norwood Road in DeFuniak Springs after receiving reports that 46-year-old Bryan Lloyd Ronk was making threats to harm himself.
Witnesses told deputies Ronk was armed with a short-barreled shotgun and had made multiple suicidal statements. Authorities said Ronk went inside the home and slammed the door shut.
Deputies made several attempts to communicate with Ronk using their vehicle intercom. During those attempts, authorities said Ronk fired a single 20-gauge shotgun round through the front door.
The sheriff’s office said the shot shattered glass and passed directly over a deputy’s head before striking a tree. Debris fell on deputies standing near the entrance.
Ronk later appeared in the doorway holding a kitchen knife before going back inside, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies moved to the north side of the home, where they saw Ronk leaning against an interior wall. Authorities said a Taser was deployed twice as Ronk attempted to move toward a bedroom, where the shotgun was later found on a bed.
Ronk resisted deputies’ efforts to detain him but was taken into custody shortly after 11 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said the shotgun had a barrel approximately 11¾ inches long. The sheriff’s office also said Ronk has two prior felony convictions and admitted he knew he was not allowed to possess firearms.
Ronk was taken to the Walton County Jail. He faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and obstruction without violence.
A second gun-related incident happened Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, in Freeport.
According to the sheriff’s office, Raymond McGlamry, 46, was arrested after authorities said he left work, drove to Pine Street and got out of his vehicle with a gun in his hand.
Authorities said McGlamry threatened power company workers who were cutting trees in the right-of-way. An off-duty deputy was working a detail at the location.
McGlamry was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon and one count of resisting arrest without violence. He was booked into the Walton County Jail.
“In the last 12 hours, our deputies faced two dangerous and unpredictable situations involving armed individuals,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “In both cases, they showed exceptional restraint by relying on their training, communication, and decision-making to bring the suspects into custody without the use of lethal force, underscoring our commitment to protecting the public while preserving life whenever possible.”
