Century, FL – A 39-year-old man from Century is facing felony charges after allegedly attacking a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office during a response to a reported burglary early Sunday morning.
The suspect, Zackery Wayne Armstrong, was arrested after a violent struggle that resulted in multiple threats and physical resistance.
Burglary Call Leads to Dangerous Confrontation
Deputies were dispatched to a home along the 100 block of East Highway 4 around 5:30 a.m. on July 28, after a resident called 911 reporting a man walking outside their house in the dark, attempting to gain entry. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Armstrong wearing only a towel and tennis shoes.
According to the arrest report, Armstrong refused commands to surrender, telling the deputy, “he was not going to be detained and would not allow the arrest.” As the deputy tried to place Armstrong in custody, a physical altercation broke out, per NorthEscambia.
“He began to push against me and attempt to pull away from me,” the deputy wrote. “I utilized a technical leg sweep to sweep Armstrong to the ground.”
Even after being taken down, Armstrong continued to violently resist, grabbing the deputy’s face, reaching for the deputy’s duty belt, and making threats. The officer feared Armstrong was searching for the deputy’s firearm or other items to cause harm.
“He said he wanted to ‘kill me’ and ‘f*** me up,’ which placed me in well-founded fear that my life was potentially in danger,” the deputy detailed in the report.
Suspect Admits to Being High on Meth
During the altercation, Armstrong reportedly told deputies that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and other narcotics. Due to the level of resistance, the deputy had to strike Armstrong in the face with his head and elbow and apply a rear choke hold before backup arrived.
Additional deputies responded and successfully placed Armstrong under arrest. No injuries to law enforcement were reported.
Armstrong Faces Felony Charges
Armstrong has been charged with:
- Battery on a law enforcement officer (felony)
- Resisting arrest with violence
Although no entry was made into the residence and no property damage occurred, the confrontation escalated significantly. Armstrong was transported to Baptist Hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Escambia County Jail, where he remains with bond set at $10,000.
Dangers of Drug-Induced Violence
This incident underscores the public safety risk posed by individuals under the influence of powerful narcotics, especially methamphetamine, which can lead to extreme agitation, paranoia, and violent behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, meth use can cause:
- Aggressive or erratic behavior
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Psychosis or violent outbursts
- Impaired judgment and loss of self-control
Law enforcement and medical professionals alike stress the need for increased community awareness, early intervention, and access to treatment programs to prevent drug-induced violence and mental health crises.
Community Safety First
Residents are encouraged to:
- Report suspicious activity immediately
- Avoid confronting individuals who appear high or violent
- Support local addiction recovery resources
- Advocate for increased funding for mental health and substance abuse services
What more can communities do to protect against drug-fueled violence? Share your thoughts below.
