Investigation continues after Eustis cop shoots child porn suspect armed with gun

LEESBURG, Fla. — Police continue their investigation after an officer shot and killed a suspect in Leesburg Tuesday evening.

Police said they were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct with a child under 12 years of age and possession of child pornography at the Laurel Oaks Apartment complex when Vernum Blunk, 47, armed himself with a gun that had been concealed in the room and threatened a Eustis detective.

The report states that Eustis police Sgt. Gary Winheim verbally tried to order Blunk to disarm, but the detective, fearing for his life, fired shots.

Authorities said Winheim's investigators, Leesburg police and the Department of Children and Families were all at the scene at the time of the shooting.

Those who live on Bayou Circle in the apartment complex said they were surprised to see law enforcement officers from several agencies in their neighborhood.

"I heard 'pow, pow, pow,'" said witness James Kendrick. "Then, seconds later, it was like somebody had a just-died kind of scream."

"Everyone was just standing around trying to figure out what was going on," said resident Cassandra Calderon.

Investigators taped off the scene around one of the buildings and were talking to witnesses Tuesday night.

Some residents said they were feeling nervous, not knowing just what transpired.

"(We are) just trying to figure out are we going to be safe tonight," said one resident.

"It's pretty tragic, what happened around here," said Kendrick.  "Nice neighborhood, just unfortunate."

Eyewitness News checked and no found Blunk has no arrest record in Florida.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

WFTV