A man suspected of shooting four people during a gas station robbery and then a sheriff’s deputy in Florida last Friday morning is reported to have been shot and killed by police following a manhunt. Reports indicate that the robbery occurred after midnight on Friday morning, leaving two dead and two wounded. Subsequently, a large-scale manhunt for the suspect ensued.
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office reported the robbery occurred around 12:30 a.m. Friday. Later, at around 6:30 a.m. the suspect’s vehicle was spotted, leading to a high-speed pursuit. “A pursuit by FHP, Columbia and Suwannee Co Sheriff’s offices led to the driver crashing. The driver then fired on the officers striking a Suwannee County deputy,” authorities said.
Fortunately, the deputy was hit by the bullet in his armored vest only resulting in non-life threatening injuries. The suspect proceeded to flee the scene before being located by police and dying in a shootout. The Suwanee Sheriff’s Office released a statement indicating the suspect had been shot and killed after firing upon additional officers.
A news release from the Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office read, “Fugitive responsible for shooting deputy is deceased, threat to public resolved. Suwannee County SO, Live Oak PD, Columbia County SO, FDLE, FHP, regional state and local law enforcement partners respond.” The authorities added, “The at-large fugitive responsible for shooting a Suwannee County deputy today is deceased and the threat to the public has been resolved. Following protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.”
“At approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning, the suspect led Suwannee and Columbia County deputies, Florida Highway Patrol troopers and partner law enforcement officers on a vehicular pursuit that ended in Suwannee County,” the sheriff’s department added. “The suspect crashed in the area of US 90 West near Goldkist Boulevard. As the suspect fled on foot, he fired on the responding officers, striking a sheriff’s deputy.”
The police further explained the suspect’s continual firing on officers. “At approximately 8:30 a.m., officers with the Live Oak Police Department responded to a suspicious person call roughly two miles from the crash scene. The suspect again fired at the responding officers who returned fire. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene,” the post read.
Fortunately, the wounded officer is expected to make a full recovery. “The Live Oak Police Department requested FDLE to investigate the officer involved shooting, as is standard protocol. FDLE’s investigation is active and FDLE will not be providing any additional information at this time. The wounded deputy is expected to make a full recovery,” the news release concluded.
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The Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office said in a previous post on February 7, “The suspect has been shot and killed after firing upon additional law enforcement officers. All officers are OK. The initial Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy who was shot this morning has been taken to and area hospital where is is in stable condition. We appreciate everyone’s assistance in making sure this violent felon didn’t victimize anyone else. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.”