Crestview police seek possibly armed shooting suspect

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Police seek Ervin J. Thomas, 28, the suspect of a Monday night shooting on Martin Luther King Boulevard near Miramar Apartments, according to a press release from the department.

Police arrived on scene after receiving a 911 call, only to find that both the suspect and the victim, Tony D. Tatum of Crestview, 22, had left the scene.

Friends tried to take Tatum to the North Okaloosa Medical Center after discovering he had been shot, but a single vehicle incident near Duggan Avenue prevented a successful trip, according the statement from the department.

When police arrived on the scene at the vehicle incident, they discovered that Tatum received a single gunshot wound to his lower abdomen, according to reports.  Okaloosa EMS arrived shortly to transport Tatum to nearby landing area. He was flown by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Investigators are asking for those who may know Thomas, a Crestview resident, not to approach him, as he may still be armed.  Anyone with information should call the department at 682- 2055 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-8477.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview police seek possibly armed shooting suspect