1 officer killed, 1 in 'grave critical condition' in Kissimmee shooting
'Strong suspect' in custody
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Two Kissimmee police officers were shot Friday night, one of them fatally, while they were responding to a suspicious person call in an area known for drug activity, according to Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O’Dell.
Sgt. Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter responded to Palmway and Cypress streets in Kissimmee at 9:27 p.m. and came into contact with four people, police said.
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At 9:32 p.m., both men were shot, O'Dell said.
“It looked like they were surprised,” O'Dell said, adding that the officers did not return fire.
One of the officers was shot in the head at close range, a source told News 6. Both men were wearing their Kissimmee Police Departmentuniforms and body armor.
IMAGES: 2 Kissimmee Police officers shot
Both men were taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center in Kissimmee. Baxter died and Howard was in "grave critical condition," authorities said. O'Dell said Howard's prognosis is not promising.
One man was taken into the custody after the shooting. O'Dell described the man as a "strong suspect."
O'Dell said it is believed that there was only one shooter using an unknown firearm. O'Dell did not say if that "strong suspect" is believed to be the shooter.
Another man was taken into custody after authorities found him at Roscoe's Bar, sources told News 6.
WKMG Sky 6 video from Kissimmee showed crime scene tape and a heavy law enforcement presence outside Roscoe's Bar, which is about a block away from the scene of the shooting.
There is one more person at large. Police said they'd also like to speak to a fourth person who might have witnessed the shooting.
The Florida Highway Patrol issued an advisory, warning drivers to stay out of the area near the intersection of U.S. 192 and Orange Blossom Trail due to heavy police activity.
Several law enforcement agencies are assisting with the case.
Condolences from local authorities and politicians quickly poured in on social media as news of the fatal shooting spread Friday night. Gov. Rick Scott called O’Dell at 11:35 p.m., according to his schedule.
O'Dell said Baxter was a three-year veteran and Howard is a 10-year veteran. Both men are husbands and fathers.
"(The families) are completely heartbroken and devastated. These were beloved fathers and husbands and sons, and so we are doing everything in our power to support them and their families at this time," O'Dell said.
Baxter's body was taken early Saturday by a procession of law enforcement officers from across Central Florida to the Osceola County Medical Examiner's Office for further investigation.
Officials initially said two officers had died in the shooting, and then O'Dell told the media early Saturday morning that one officer had died and the other was being treated.
O'Dell said that his department was struggling with the loss of the fellow officer.
"Although we're aware of what goes on, you know, in law enforcement across the nation, we haven't experienced this in over 25 years," O'Dell said.
Up until Friday night, it had been 34 years since a Kissimmee Police Department officer was killed in the line of duty.
Two officers were also shot Friday night in Jacksonville Friday night, police said. One officer is in stable condition, and the other is in critical condition.
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