Armed Standoff in Port St. Joe Ends in Gunfire After Vehicle Pursuit
On a humid August afternoon, the usually quiet streets of Port St. Joe became the backdrop for a tense and dangerous confrontation that gripped the community and tested local law enforcement’s resolve.
Florida, Bay County — August 15, 2025
What began as a routine repossession call quickly escalated into a high-stakes encounter with 41-year-old Tikila Walker, whose erratic behavior and deadly weapon forced officers into a life-threatening situation.
At around 3:40 p.m., officers were dispatched after a repossession driver reported that a vehicle had fled the scene following a collision. The vehicle, a white Ford Fusion with an expired temporary tag, was being driven by Walker.
When police attempted a traffic stop in North Port St. Joe, Walker refused to comply. She slowly weaved through the streets, ignoring flashing lights and sirens. Sergeant Morrison tried to block her on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but Walker swerved onto the sidewalk, prompting the sergeant to call off the pursuit to avoid endangering bystanders.
About 40 minutes later, reports of a hit-and-run surfaced, again involving Walker’s vehicle. Though the property owner chose not to press charges, the incident heightened concern among officers.
Sergeant Morrison located Walker again near MLK Boulevard. For over fifteen minutes, he attempted to talk her into surrendering the car, but she remained uncooperative, refusing to exit or hand over the vehicle.
By early evening, the situation deteriorated further. Reports poured in about reckless driving and another hit-and-run involving Walker’s car near a convenience store in Highland View. Officers moved in.
At approximately 6:00 p.m., Sergeant Morrison and Officer Lee found Walker in the Ford Fusion on Avenue C. Inside, she gripped a massive 16-inch silver filet knife, her eyes betraying unpredictability.
Officers began negotiating, urging her to put the weapon down and cooperate. But Walker refused.
In a dramatic escalation, a Gulf County deputy arrived, smashing the passenger window and deploying a taser multiple times. The taser had no apparent effect. Suddenly, Walker swung the knife from inside the vehicle, narrowly missing the deputy.
Without warning, she exited the car, still brandishing the knife, and charged Sergeant Morrison. Faced with an immediate threat, both Sergeant Morrison and Officer Lee fired their weapons.
After the gunfire ceased, officers subdued Walker and quickly removed the knife from her hand. Emergency medical personnel arrived swiftly, transporting her to the hospital where she was treated and later released.
Charges and Consequences
Walker now faces serious felony charges, including:
Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (784.07 2c)
Resisting an Officer with Violence (843.01), filed by both the Port St. Joe Police Department and Gulf County Sheriff’s Office
🔹 Conclusion
What started as a straightforward repossession call turned into a perilous standoff that could have ended far worse. Despite persistent efforts by officers to de-escalate, Walker’s volatile actions turned a routine police interaction into a near-fatal event.
This incident underscores the critical importance of crisis intervention training, effective communication, and awareness of mental health challenges in law enforcement responses. It is a sobering reminder of how quickly routine situations can spiral into life-or-death confrontations.