Gunman Kills Deputy Outside Lawyer’s Office

(CN) - A gunman fatally shot a Florida sheriff's deputy outside a lawyer's office Tuesday before barricading himself inside a motel where he was killed after gun battle with authorities.

Joel Dixson Smith shot Okaloosa County Deputy Bill Myers, 64, several times in the back of the head and back after being served with an injunction related to a charge of domestic violence.

According to Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley, Myers had been sent to retrieve several firearms from Smith, and they were walking to the 33 year old's car when Smith drew a concealed pistol and started firing.

Smith then jump into his car and drove to a Comfort Suites about 10 miles from the scene of the shooting. Once there, he barricaded himself inside a room he had rented earlier, and a siege.

It ended after deputies fired tear gas into the room, and Smith attempted to flee while firing wildly.

Deputies then shot and killed him.

Sheriff Ashley said Myers had retired in 2013, but was working part-time serving civil papers to earn the money to take his granddaughter to Disney World.

The sheriff said Dixon had a record of domestic battery, but offered no details.

Asked about the gunman during a briefing with reporters, Ashley described Smith as "a sick little coward."

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