Officers with the DeFuniak Springs Police Department responded to a residence off of S. 11th Street Thursday morning in reference to a domestic dispute. The caller stated that a man had struck his girlfriend in the head with a hammer. Officers arrived and discovered the suspect had fled on foot. Walton Fire Rescue and the DeFuniak Springs Fire Department responded to treat and transport the victim. A perimeter was setup and K-9 teams from Walton Correctional and Okaloosa Correctional Institutes responded to track the suspect. 62 year old Kenneth Lee Wesley was located laying down in the woods near Hubbard street by K-9 Rico. Wesley did not resist further and was taken into custody. He was transported to the Walton County Jail where he was booked on charges of Aggravated Battery and Depriving a Person of 911.
The female victim was injured but is expected to recover. Walton Middle School was temporarily placed on lockdown due to the proximity of the incident.
"We appreciate the assistance of Walton and Okaloosa CI, and our citizens for helping in capturing this man," said Chief Hurley.