Deputy Confronted in Gun Battle Lasting Just 33 Seconds!

On September 3, 2025, Bay County Dispatch received multiple 9-1-1 calls about a man walking on Webber Road near Highway 231, armed with a firearm and acting erratically. The armed man, 45-year-old Justin Chandler Smith, was carrying a handgun and a magazine-fed shotgun, which some callers mistook for an assault rifle. The previous evening, Smith was contacted in reference to a Harassment and Trespassing Complaint and exhibited agitated and aggressive behavior.

A deputy located Smith and attempted to speak with him. Smith was immediately belligerent toward the deputy. The deputy instructed Smith to place his shotgun on the ground by the strap. Smith reached for the gun in his holster when the deputy approached. The deputy drew his service weapon and said, "Don't you touch it!" Smith reached for the holster, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the deputy resulting in an exchange of gunfire Smith fell to the ground and continued shooting.

After the shooting, deputy began medical aid on Smith, including CPR. Additional deputies arrived and assisted until paramedics took over. Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical services. A magazine-fed shotgun and a handgun were recovered. The evidence indicates that Smith fired 6 rounds from the pistol and the deputy returned fire with 7 rounds. Multiple rounds fired by Smith damaged the deputy's patrol vehicle. No deputies or uninvolved community members were injured during this incident.