Fort Walton Beach Fugitive Might Be Headed to Miami: Authorities
Joe “J” Fernandez, 36, formerly of Miami Beach, is wanted for a shooting Wednesday night
Friday, Aug 3, 2012 | Updated 5:15 PM EDT
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
Joe "J" Fernandez as seen in a flyer from Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers.
A Fort Walton Beach man wanted for attempted murder might be headed to Miami, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said.
Authorities said they are searching for Joe “J” Fernandez, 36, formerly of Miami Beach, on a charge of attempted murder for a shooting in Fort Walton Beach Wednesday night.
Fernandez also face charges of robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after the incident in which he shot Tamera Sheffield, 32, at the intersection of Thornhill Road and South Avenue, the sheriff’s office said. Fort Walton Beach is in the Florida Panhandle near Pensacola.
Sheffield said that Fernandez, who is an acquaintance, drove up to her home on Thornhill Road, asked to borrow money, and then demanded her cash – and when she refused, he shot her multiple times, according to the sheriff’s office.
Fort Walton Beach Man's Shredded $14.5 Million Lottery Ticket Claim a Hoax
Fernandez’s car was later recovered by the sheriff’s office. He is believed to be with Kiera Bethune, 21, of Fort Walton Beach, who is listed as missing and possibly endangered, the sheriff’s office said.
They could be traveling in a gray four-door Hyundai with the Florida license plate 957OJH that was stolen in Crestview, investigators said.
Authorities ask anyone with information on their whereabouts to call the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7420 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.
If anyone spots Fernandez or Bethune, do not attempt to make contact with them and call local police, the sheriff’s office said.
Five-Year-Old Boy Drives Mother to Safety
