OCSO: Attempted murder suspect arrested

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities said man wanted in Okaloosa County on charges of attempted murder, robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon has been apprehended in south Florida.

Officials said investigators with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force had developed information that 36-year-old Joe Fernandez may be in the North Miami Beach area.

Their information was passed along to members of the U.S. Marshals South Florida Fugitive Task Force. Deputies said officers following up on the information tracked Fernandez to a home in North Miami Beach.

Investigators said Fernandez engaged police in a gunfight around noon on Friday, August 31 as he tried to elude them.

Fernandez was shot and was taken to a Miami hospital for treatment. No officers were injured.

Fernandez will face a charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Keira Bethune, 21, of Fort Walton Beach was located with Fernandez. Officials said she was unharmed.

Authorities said no additional details on this incident are being released by this agency at this time.

Fernandez is accused of shooting 33-year old Tamera Sheffield August 1at the intersection of Thornhill Road and South Avenue in Fort Walton Beach.

She said he drove to her home on Thornhill Road, asked to borrow money, and then demanded cash.  She said when she refused, he shot her multiple times then got back into the car and fled.                     

Sheffield survived.