Okaloosa Island homicide victim identified, $8,000 reward offered for tip leading to arrest
OKALOOSA ISLAND — An $8,000 cash reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest in the shooting death of a man whose body was found along U.S. Highway 98 the night of Dec. 22.
The victim was identified as 26-year-old Christopher Menzies, a Jamaican national who lived in the Fort Walton Beach area. Menzies left work in Miramar Beach that night about 9 p.m. and drove two co-workers home, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
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More: OCSO seeking information after 26-year-old man found slain on U.S. 98 on Okaloosa Island
One of his co-workers told investigators he dropped her off in Fort Walton Beach about 10 p.m. and left to go to an unknown location. He was found about 45 minutes later lying partially in an eastbound lane of U.S. 98 on Okaloosa Island.
According to the OCSO, he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the shooting took place where Menzies’ body was found.
His gray 2008 Honda Odyssey van was found by the OCSO the next day backed into a wooded lot on Parkview Road next to the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club.
Whoever was driving the van left the area either on foot or in a vehicle, the OCSO said. Residents in the area reportedly did not recognize the vehicle.
Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Florida Sheriff’s Association Criminal Apprehension Assistance Program has chipped in another $5,000 toward the reward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the OCSO at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers anonymously at 850-863-TIPS, emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com or by using the P3 Tips mobile application.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa Island homicide victim identified, reward offered for tips
