Man who battered disabled brother charged after six-hour standoff

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A local man accused of battering his disabled brother was taken into custody after a multi-hour standoff with deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Friday night.

According to a Jan. 9 news release from the WCSO, Jerry Lynn Wise, 41, was taken into custody after the nearly six-hour standoff that included repeated releases of tear gas.

“During the multi-hour standoff, Wise repeatedly held a firearm to his head and refused to vacate the residence,” said Mike Morrison, WCSO spokesman in the release.

Deputies were dispatched after a 5:43 p.m. call Friday night that alleged Wise had severely injured his brother.

The brother, whose name has not been released, was sent to the North Okaloosa Medical Center.

Deputies spoke to a family member who said he might be at his home and in possession of one or more firearms.

Within 30 minutes of the original call, deputies arrived at the scene where they found Wise alone in his home, Morrison said.

“WCSO deputies spent several hours attempting to persuade Wise to surrender,” Morrison said.

Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. oversaw the incident from the scene.

After hours of negotiations, the WCSO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team deployed tear gas into the residence several times to pressure him outside and out of harms way, the release said.

The final tear gas attempt drove Wise out of his home.

Wise was taken into custody shortly after 12 a.m. Saturday and booked into the Walton County Jail.

He was charged with domestic violence battery touch or strike; felony battery or domestic battery by strangulation; and possession of weapon or ammunition by a convicted Florida felon.

More charges are pending the ongoing investigation.