Hurlburt Field Airman Accused of Suffocating Woman, Child in Santa Rosa County: Report

Photo by Brent Byng (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office).

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — An airman stationed at Hurlburt Field was arrested over the weekend after allegedly suffocating a child and a woman, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Col. Brent P. Byng, 44, was the commander of the 19th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, according to Air Force officials.

Byng was arrested on June 23 and charged with child abuse, obstruction of justice, two counts of domestic assault by strangulation and aggravated assault.

According to his arrest report, Byng choked a woman until she couldn’t breathe with the children in the room.

The children ran out of the room when Byng pulled out a pocket knife and chased after them, according to the report. He also reportedly suffocated one of the children.

Byng also allegedly tried to take the woman’s phone so she couldn’t call for help.

Officials at Hurlburt Field released this statement:

“We are aware of the situation regarding the charges and the arrest of Lt. Col. Byng, and the Air Force is cooperating fully with local authorities. The incident is being investigated by local law enforcement. Further details regarding the investigation should be forwarded to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.”

Note to editors: We have updated this article to have less police jargon.