In the tranquil coastal town of Destin, Florida, a quiet Sunday night on August 17, 2025, was shattered by gunfire on Crystal Beach Drive. At around 9 p.m., a heated argument between two people escalated into a violent confrontation, leaving one man wounded and a Georgia woman behind bars. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded swiftly, uncovering a tangled web of conflicting stories, alcohol-fueled tension, and a firearm that turned a domestic dispute deadly.
The suspect, 42-year-old Crissy Walburn of Stone Mountain, Georgia, now faces serious charges: domestic violence-related aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. The victim, 38-year-old James Peterson, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, a painful consequence of a night that spiraled out of control.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded as Walburn and Peterson were loading their car, their tempers flaring over a personal betrayal. The spark? Photos discovered on Peterson’s phone the day before, which fueled an argument that simmered until it exploded. Walburn, seated in the passenger seat, claimed she grabbed a firearm to place it on the vehicle’s floorboard—a routine act, she said, that went horribly wrong. She told deputies the gun discharged accidentally, striking Peterson as he stood outside to her right. But her story wavered. At one point, she claimed Peterson grabbed the weapon, causing it to fire. She insisted she didn’t know how it was aimed at him, maintaining the gun remained holstered the entire time.
Peterson, bleeding and in shock, initially backed her claim, telling deputies the shooting was an accident. But the evidence told a different story. Investigators noted a defensive wound on Peterson’s hand, a stark indication he may have raised it to shield himself from the bullet. This clue, coupled with inconsistencies in the pair’s accounts, raised red flags for the OCSO.
Deputies also observed clear signs of Walburn’s intoxication. The smell of alcohol lingered around her, and her speech was slurred, betraying her condition. When asked to provide a breath sample, she refused, further complicating her narrative. The presence of alcohol, a loaded firearm, and a volatile argument created a perfect storm—one that left Peterson wounded and Walburn in handcuffs.
Following the investigation at the scene, Walburn was arrested and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview, where she now awaits her day in court. The OCSO continues to probe the incident, piecing together the moments that led to the gunshot that echoed through Destin’s serene streets.
This harrowing event serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly domestic disputes can spiral into violence, especially when alcohol and firearms are in play. Authorities are urging those caught in conflicts to seek help, emphasizing that de-escalation and intervention can prevent tragedies like this one. As the investigation unfolds, the community of Destin is left grappling with the sobering reality that even paradise can’t escape the dangers of unchecked emotions and loaded weapons.