Cowboy Killed In Self-Defense During Ranch Shootout: Deputies

PLANT CITY, FL — The bullet that killed Milton Lamar Varn during a Saturday shootout on a Plant City ranch was fired in self-defense by the 62-year-old man’s ex-wife, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The agency on Wednesday released more details in the case that left self-described “cowboy” Milton Varn and his brother, Perry Edward Varn, 66, both dead. George Terrell Long, 71, was also injured during the dispute, which took place on the Varn family’s Rocking V Ranch.

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According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the ranch on Varn Road just before 2 p.m. April 15 after receiving a report about a shooting. When they arrived, they found Milton and Perry Varn both dead in a pasture, “suffering from gunshot wounds,” an email from the agency said. George Long had a gunshot wound in his shoulder and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Deputies say Long’s wife and Milton Varn’s ex-wife, Joanne Varn, 61, was also on the scene. Joanne Varn was not injured, the agency noted.

Just who fired the shots remained under investigation on Saturday. More details were released by the sheriff's office on Wednesday, April 19.

“The investigation revealed that Milton Varn shot his brother, Perry Varn,” the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media. “Milton then shot George Long, before threatening to shoot Joanne. At that point, in fear for her life, Joanne shot Milton in self-defense.”

The dispute that led to the deadly shooting in the ranch’s pasture involved property, the sheriff’s office said on Saturday.

The case remains open with no charges filed at this time. Evidence has been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s lab for testing, the sheriff’s office said. After the tests are completed, detectives will meet with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for review, Wednesday’s email noted.

Milton Varn was charged with domestic battery in 2009. He listed himself as self-employed as a “cowboy” in Hillsborough County Jail records.

No further information in the case is being released at this time.

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