Valdez, Damian Michael, 30, of Navarre was booked September 3 into Santa Rosa County Jail on several charges after he and his soon-to-be former wife had a fight which included gunfire.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies on August 3 responded to 2710 Rosemont Drive in Navarre, in reference to a disturbance with a gun.
While dispatch was on the phone with the complainant/victim, identified as Brooke Ashley Valdez, dispatch advised they heard a gunshot in the background.
Upon arrival an officer spoke with Brooke, who had already exited the residence with her two kids.
According to the arrest report, Brooke advised she and her soon to be ex-husband, Damian Michael Valdez had been in a fight. She stated Damian was highly intoxicated. Brooke stated Damian was yelling and became very upset and aggressive over finding out that she was seeing someone, at which point she went and shut herself in her bedroom. She said Damian then followed her into the bedroom, breaking the bedroom door in the process and that he then took her phone out of her hands and threw it against the wall, in an attempt to break it. She reported he then pushed her onto the bed and climbed on top of her, wrapping both of his hands around her throat, strangling her as she struggled for air. After a short struggle, she was able to break free of Damian’s grip, and separate herself from him.
She stated Damian then began “gearing up”, putting on a bulletproof vest and other tactical gear, and pulled a pistol from his waistband, while stating “I’m going to (kill) you and your boyfriend.” According to Brooke, Damian was waving the pistol around in the air, and when he went to chamber a round in the pistol, the gun jammed and he cleared the jam. She reported Damian then turned the gun on himself and put it in his mouth, saying he was going to die tonight. She stated she was pleading with him to stop, at which point he ran outside to the back of the house, and after a few minutes, she heard a gunshot.
Deputies were able to make contact with Damian after a brief standoff, and he exited the residence without incident, wearing a tactical vest, which contained several empty magazines and a military issues smoke grenade. After Damian was secured and searched, the firearm was located just inside the residence, loaded.
Brooke’s neck was red with markings and slightly bruised where she indicated Damian choked her.
Due to the totality of the circumstances, Damian was charged with battery by strangulation (domestic violence), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (domestic violence) and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail without further incident.
While at the jail, SRSO staff administered a PBT for a breath sample, which yielded a reading of .211.
Valdez was released August 6 after posting a $13,500 bond for the following charges:
- third-degree felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill;
- third-degree felony count of battery;
- first-degree misdemeanor count of conditional release violation;
- second-degree misdemeanor count of using a firearm under influence of alcohol.
