UPDATE: Fugitive shoots himself as deputies surround him

The manhunt for Matheos “Matthew” S. Pitikas in the Point Washington area ended around 12:25 p.m. Sunday. Matheos  died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after being surrounded by Walton and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies, according to Walton County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Mike Gurspan.

Pitikas eluded law enforcement officials for almost 48 hours. He was found on E. Mitchell in Point Washington, where the search has centered since Friday afternoon.

The ordeal began around 1:15 p.m. Friday in the vacinity of The Whale's Tail in Miramar Beach and involved a high-speed chase through Walton County and ending in Point Washington, where Matheos ditched his vehicle near the Choctowhatchee Bay. Several shots were fired at deputies during the chase, including several at Walton County Sheriff Michael Atkinson, who happened to be in South Walton for a luncheon at the time and helped in the chase.

The 24-year-old was also wanted for a bank robbery last month in Houston, Texas.   The Walton County Sheriff’s Office will investigate today’s shooting.  The body of the deceased has been turned over to the Medical Examiner’s Office.