Long Beach son shot in Florida after mother and sister found dead

Richard Timothy Ward was shot by law enforcement officials in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday afternoon after being identified as a suspect in a local homicide. The 2:15 p.m. incident occurred while Ward was staying at a motel near the location where police had located his vehicle.

Ward is the son of Doris Crimmins and the brother of Kimberly Hernandez. Both women resided in a home in Long Beach, Mississippi. Long Beach police officers arrived at the property around 10:15 a.m. following a report of a shooting. Upon entering, they discovered both women dead.

Long Beach Police Chief Billy Seal confirmed that Ward was named the suspect in Hernandez's death. Hernandez, 63, died in what investigators are treating as a homicide. Crimmins, 84, owned the house and had been receiving hospice care for cardiac issues. Her death appears to have been natural, according to the chief.

Police traced a vehicle involved in the incident to Pensacola, where they located Ward. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons stated that deputies and highway patrol officers became aware of the suspect's motel stay at 2:15 p.m. When officers made contact with Ward, he drew a gun. After giving multiple commands for him to lower the weapon, Ward fired at the officers.

Three deputies returned fire and struck Ward during the exchange. He was transported to a hospital for treatment following the shooting.