Police investigate home invasion murder

FT. WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities said at around 12:23 a.m. Thursday morning at 35-A Alder Avenue, an attempted home invasion ended when William James Franklin “Will” Bowen, 24, was shot in the chest.

Ben Dawson has lived next to Bowen for over two years.

“I’m just surprised about all this you know? I’ve never seen something like this,” Dawson said.

According to witnesses, Bowen was attacked by two black males, wearing hoods and dark clothing, who forced their way inside the home.

Dawson said he knew something was wrong when he heard a gunshot.

“I was lying in bed when I heard a loud bang. Then I heard screaming and after that I saw police everywhere,” Dawson said.

Authorities said a gunshot, apparently from a .45 caliber handgun, hit Bowen as he fought with the two suspects.

Bowen was transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities said they believe a total of three suspects were actually involved in the crime.

One suspect, who was wearing light colored clothes, waited outside.

The suspects took off after the shot was fired.

“Eventually I went to my door and looked outside. I saw there were police in the front and back, and I heard them say they were going to put people all around the block,” Dawson said.

Authorities said the suspects haven’t been found.

Dawson said he’s still shocked something like this happened.

“It’s not that way around here. I think that was just an isolated incident. It was just a tragedy,” Dawson said.

The three women present in the home during the incident were not injured.

Anybody with information about this incident should contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department at (850) 833-9546 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863-TIPS.