DeFuniak Springs man charged as accessory in Crestview homicide involving 80-year-old man

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A man has been charged as an accessory after the fact in a homicide involving an 80-year-old Crestview man, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

On July 10, Johnny Ray Kirk shot and killed Frank Doerwald Sr. at a park in Crestview and stole his truck, authorities say. The following day, the vehicle was discovered off Linda Lane in DeFuniak Springs by members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Sheriff's Office, according to a WCSO news release.

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Investigators received information that several people, including Michael Lawson, 24, of DeFuniak Springs, had assisted Kirk after the incident by giving him a ride out of Walton County. Investigators also learned that Lawson reportedly had a sawed-off shotgun in his possession before leaving town with Kirk.

The night of July 11, the Escambia County sheriff's deputies located Kirk, Lawson and others during a traffic stop in the Pensacola area. Kirk reportedly began shooting at deputies, and he was fatally wounded when deputies returned fire.

Lawson ran off but was caught the following day. 

On the morning of July 13, Walton County deputies located the shotgun that Lawson allegedly tossed out of the car before leaving DeFuniak Springs.

According to Lawson's arrest report, investigators also determined that the co-defendants in the case had removed parts from Doerwald's truck and sold them before leaving town.

Lawson faces charges of displaying a weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of a short-barreled shotgun.

He is being held in the Okaloosa County Jail on $50,000 bond, according to jail records.