Surveillance footage captures deadly confrontation at Smoke Shop in DeFuniak Springs

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. -- Surveillance footage shared with WEAR News by a nearby business shows the moments leading up to a deadly shooting outside theSmoke Shop in DeFuniak Springs last week.

The video shows the suspect, 32-year-old Sipho Bennett, involved in an altercation with two individuals prior to the shooting outside the Smoke Shop on Highway 331 on July 4.

The footage shows one of the two individuals heading back to his SUV, making eye contact with Bennett as Bennett walks across the parking lot. One of the individuals can be seen getting into the passenger side of the SUV as Bennett continues walking from the parking lot towards the smoke shop.

The individual in who went into the passenger seat was identified as a 20-year-old David Brimmer.

Just seconds later, Brimmer exits the SUV and goes in the direction of Bennett.

Brimmer, now accompanied by Kaden Johnson, could then be seen outside the shop throwing up his hands. Johnson could be seen occupying the driver's side of the SUV.

The two men then get back in the SUV and drive off, only to return moments later.

Brimmer can then be seen again getting closer to the shop and Bennett. That is when the first shot from Bennett's firearm can be heard.

The men then attempt to flee in the SUV, but not before Bennett can be seen running to the driver side of the SUV and firing another round.

The DeFuniak Springs Police Department says both of the individuals suffered gunshot wounds.

Brimmer was shot in the chest and later died from his injuries, while Johnson was shot in the arm and is expected to recover.

"Through the investigation it has been determined that Bennett and the two victims had been in a verbal altercation at the Smoke Shop," DeFuniak Springs Police say in a release.

Police say they located Bennett in the bathroom of a Walgreens. He was detained and found to be in possession of the firearm.

Bennett admitted to police in a report that he fired multiple shots at Brimmer and Johnson, claiming to do so out of fear.

According to a report, Bennett believed the men were going to retrieve a firearm from their SUV.

Officers in a report state they did find a weapon wedged between the seats of the SUV.

Bennett is charged with homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and firing a round into a vehicle. He is held in Walton County Jail on no bond.

Bennett is expected to appear in court on Aug. 22.

Tune in at 10 p.m. for more coverage on this incident. The footage is currently being reviewed for