Last Updated: 4:15 p.m.
A man was shot and killed in Espanola this morning as the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve a fugitive warrant at a home there. But the Marshal Service is remaining mum on significant details of the shooting, including whether the man killed was armed.
“During the warrant service, the fugitive was shot by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and succumbed to his injuries at the scene,” a sheriff’s news release issued late Wednesday morning states.
The case is related to a shooting in Bunnell on July 23. Bunnell police had investigated that shooting and secured a warrant for the suspect, Undersheriff Rick Staly said this morning. The warrant was handed over to the Marshal Service. The suspect was tracked down in Espanola.
Bunnell had worked the shooting case a couple of weeks ago and issued a warrant,” Staly said. “The marshals tracked him to this location in Espanola, they tried to get him out of the house and resulted in shots being fired and the suspect was deceased.”
The shooting took place at a house at 64 Espanola Road. The road was sealed off with yellow crime tape by sheriff’s deputies. About two dozen residents have gathered at the road’s intersection with County Road 205, some pulling up their own chairs, others with their young infants, sipping drinks or munching on snacks. Residents of the street were allowed through, with a sheriff’s escort.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is responding to the scene.
Tanner was wanted by the Bunnell Police Department for Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery with Firearm, and Aggravated Assault with Firearm in connection with the July shooting, which injured a man and left several cars pockmarked with bullet holes. Tanner “was the only one in the home at the time of the shooting,” the Marshal Service said in a statement released in mid-afternoon.
The release added little to what was already known, and does not address how many shots were fired, whether Tanner was armed, where he was shot, or whether he was attempting to flee or harm officers serving the warrant.
There are unconfirmed reports that the suspect pulled a weapon as the warrant was being served. Flagler County Fire Rescue paramedics did respond but did not pronounce the death of Tanner. Local officials are deferring questions to the Marshal Service, whose Penelope J. Knox of the Jacksonville office was in charge. Reporters at the scene were told that a news conference was imminent–that was about 3:15 p.m. An hour later, they were told there would be no news conference.
In a phone interview at 4 p.m., Knox said she could not answer most of the questions posed, including whether Tanner was armed. “It’s an active investigation and FDLE is conducting the investigation and I am prohibited from answering any question as it relates to the investigation,” Knox said.
The caginess continued through a line of questions.
Knox would not say how many agencies, and what agencies, other than the Marshal Service, were involved in serving the warrant, though other agencies were involved. “Yes, there was other agencies involved, but I am not able to let you know what those agencies were and what their level of involvement was,” she said. Other agencies that were involved would have been federal, state or local law enforcement agencies, she said.
These did not include the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, which contradicts the information relayed in a Sheriff’s Office release this morning, nor did they include the Bunnell Police Department (which never claimed that it was involved). Knox would not say how many members of the Marshal Service were involved.
Asked whether a SWAT team was used (the Flagler Sheriff’s Office does use a SWAT team on occasion when serving warrants), Knox said: “I’m not sure of a SWAT team was used today. In some cases we have used SWAT teams.”
The Marshal Service’s statement says Tanner was alone in the house, but when asked whether there had been neighbors nearby, or others milling about, at the time of the shooting, Knox said: “I do not know who was in other homes.” She did not address the question of bystanders.
“We don’t want to keep the public from knowing any of this information,” Knox said. “There’s going to be a very thorough investigation that is conducted, and that information is going to be released.”
Knox could not say when some or any of the answers to questions would start to be released.
“It’s still a very active investigation, we’re on a supporting role to protect the scene while their crime scene unit responds out of Jacksonville and they start their investigation,” Staly said. He noted that no Flagler deputy fired any shots.
dj says
I think this should be a wake up call for all wanna be thugs.dont let your actions constitute your consequence.let your consequences constitute your actions
Anonymous says
That was a good boy with a family and didnt deserve to lose his life. Point blank
Anonymous says
A good boy is not the word for this man, reread the article.
Karen says
From the US Marshal’s website: “U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. ” I don’t think a “good boy” would be on the US Marshal’s list of people to hunt down. The fact that they were involved at all says he was a very bad man.
Hhmm says
He was wanted for attempted murder charges in the first place, that is how the warrant was issued.
Genie says
There is no criminal justice system anymore. If you resist in any way, you will be killed.
Two others were shot today in the US, one for carrying a toy gun at a Walmart. A woman was also shot during that incident as she tried to get out of the way. The man was innocent.
I’m sorry, but I am afraid that much of this is just plain government authorized murder by cop. Go on UTube and watch the number of people being beaten to death by police for not answering a simple question. In some cases you will see the “offender” begging for his life.
I am not implying this wasn’t a valid arrest. But I am telling you to watch for more.
Mary says
So what’s with the neighbors pulling up chairs, some with infants, munching on snacks and having a drink. Very strange people. Maybe its the summer’s entertainment. Its a tragedy all around. I guess LEO’s have to kill or be killed. Like the wild west now.
Whatever says
Just another day in paradise.
Resident says
If he didn’t deserve to lose his life because he was a good boy why was he hiding when he was found, why did he have an extensive arrest record, why did he previously shoot causing injury in Bunnell and then was hiding since then? Many people die daily that do not deserve to die, but they are not committing crimes on a regular basis. They are not out to intentionally hurt others and then remain in out of sight. In your eyes, he may have been a good boy and he quite possibly is related to you and for that I am very sorry for your loss, but seems to me he has been lost for quite some time and this should be a wake up call to others that are on the same path.
When these crimes are committed the person that is behind them does not realize they are not only hurting themselves, their loved ones, but also another persons’ loved one(s) as well. It is a chain reaction and the crimes need to stop!.
Sheriden says
US Marshalls do not get involved in serving warrants to “good boys”.
Seminole Pride says
A young black man with no guidance or potentials. Is it all worth it ? How can you say he was a good man. He had a federal warrant out on him. What did he do good for our society, or his family ? Don’t blame our federal or local law enforcement for getting a criminal off the streets. .
[Note: As the story states, it was a Bunnell PD warrant that the Marshal Service was serving, as it occasionally does for local law enforcement. It was not a federal warrant.–FL]
Palm Coast, NJ says
Felony warrant being served by the US Marshall Service. Since these are federal cops, highly unlikely it was racial profiling. We’ll see what FDLE says. I’m sure the FBI will be involved as well. The guy had a long criminal record. You live by the sword, you die by the sword, it doesn’t matter what the persons race happens to be or was in this case. I’m glad he’s off the street. Let’s the authorities, in this case, the feds sort this out. Not at all like Missouri or Sanford.
Jeremy says
Killing is murder. regardless of who does the killing.
shark says
The yellow sign says it all!!!!
Freddy says
If you have not committed a crime and are not a criminal why worry about being shot by a cop. The article says he has an extensive arrest record in Flagler county. So is this a good boy?
NortonSmitty says
‘A few years ago, this wouldn’t have warranted a second glance. Today, it is impossible to give Law Enforcement the benefit of the doubt. Because their history shows it undeserved.
Anonymous says
Wow. So it’s ok to shoot and kill when serving a warrant and we all just assume it’s ok. Minor detail lacking of whether the victim had a weapon or not. I thought a person in the US at least has a right to an attorney and a right to a trial. I didn’t read where he’d been convicted already only that he was a suspect and there was a warrant outstanding. Starting to sound somewhat like Ferguson MO, although I hope not.
anonOrange says
he may not have been a good boy, but since they arent telling us if he was armed, he probably wasnt. excessive force is an all too common occurrence these days. LEO just cant wait to use their guns. ill reserve opinion until the details are released, but police are not always the good guys. yes a criminal is off the streets, but hes dead. im not sure the crimes justify the punishment… unless it turns out he was armed and posed a threat to LEO.
sonny says
17 charges in the last three years he a real good boy
The Big Question says
It always seems like America in Flagler County and beyond always have the quick remedy or justice served when it comes to the violent death or arrest of an African American. He’s just a “thug” “criminal” take out the trash and so on. I want to know how many of the mass shooters have been physically killed by law enforcement? Most of these commenters can’t visually handle looking at a so-called black president on television let alone walk in the shoes of a minority in this country. Many in denial are so scared that they will lose the basic privilege of “fitting in” that affords them the benefit of the doubt in life’s daily issues they’re willing to put blinders on and believe young black men just came out of the womb violent and criminal. Convenient offense/defense so that they have can have a war on something and elevate themselves. What’s the common denominator? Africa is in ruins, the middle east is on fire, we have ghettos and reservations in America? Who are the real criminals?
Jim R. says
The overwhelming majority of victims of police violence are people of color , but don’t think being white means you get a pass. Our modern day officers see everyone as a threat to their safety and that includes your 75 year old grandmother. an out of control cop. pumped up on adrenaline and fear is a danger to everyone in his vicinity. Instead of military type weapons they should be disarmed and given only nightsticks and handcuffs until they prove that they can be trusted with a gun.
Two recent instances of hostage situations ended with hostages dead from police bullets, and the shooting of unarmed people happens everyday, These incidents are all symptoms of the growing police state in the U.S.
Whatever says
My deceased mother–may she RIP, warned me of the growing Police States, it is a major issue–what to do what to do
kendog says
Maybe the information was not released to keep Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson from coming down and siring the pudding.
Ray Thorne says
Then lets do away with the local police. That will lead to a national police force . The rules will be much different and you and every other complainer will come to find out what a police state really is.
anonymous says
I wanna know how they can kill a unarmed man!!! If he would’ve been armed they would’ve stated that he fired on a officer or he was armed, kids in the house and they come in firing.
anonymous says
A person does not have to be armed to be shot. If he portrayed that he had a weapon, it could have easily convinced the officers that he was a threat, which would have warranted deadly force. Florida law also allows for police officers to shoot a fleeing felon if he poses a risk to the general public. The man was wanted for attempted murder, did not surrender despite ample time and numerous requests, and was attempting to evade arrest. I’d say he was given an opportunity and chose his path. I also highly doubt that the officers ran into the house shooting, especially with kids inside. As always, lets let the investigation findthe facts and reserve judgement until that time. There is a local, state and federal agency involved in this case. Pretty hard to cover anything up with that many agencies at all different levels.
just saying says
And to add to that, all cops involved in this incident are being investigated for a criminal act. Every cop who pulls a trigger and someone is injured gets the third degree. There will be crime scene investigators, homicide investigators, lab technicians, State’s Attorney’s all trying to prove a crime occurred just so they can say with complete honesty that their investigation was thorough and if a crime happened the right people were charged.
Right now those Marshals are being interviewed like suspects in a murder. They have to wait and hope the investigator find them not guilty. Who would choose to go through this over anything less than being in imminent danger?
A.S.F. says
@Whatever says–“What to do?” I suggest keeping out of the line of fire by leading a law-abiding life.
ignorance says
My god Just Saying, is that how you think people, especially cops, think? Police see it as protecting their own, anytime a cop kills someone, all the others assume that person was evil and deserved it and they congratulate the murderer, and even protect them if they know it was an unlawful shooting. Unlawful just like the murder that took palce in Ferguson, MO. Having a family of cops you learn things.
just saying says
Having seen it in person, I don’t have to depend on my LE parents to relate stories.
Ray Thorne says
No assuming, HE SHOT SOMEONE!! What is wrong with society when we care more about a person committing crimes and less about those they’ve victimized?
lexi says
All people see is the arrest records. But I know him, im from bunnell. I grew up here. And there was more to him then just those records. Its easy for someone to call him a thug or say its good hes off the streets. But thats someones child & that was someones grandson. Theres been a BIG problem with bunnell police for a long time now. Im not saying us as citizens here are perfect. But you dont shoot to kill. In my eyes that was theyre intention all along. And there not going to release if he was armed or not because if he was, that would of been theyre first statement.
Reds says
Bunnell nor Flagler County shot him, the US Marshals did.