'Massive manhunt' in Florida ends with suspect's death after shooting rampage
A massive manhunt for a gunman accused of killing two and injuring three, including a sheriff's deputy, ended when the suspect was killed in a confrontation with law enforcement in Florida, officials said Friday.
"Suspect has been killed during an exchange of gunfire with SWAT in Columbia County!" the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. "Let’s pray for the victims and the healing for their families during this tragic time!"
The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said in the early morning hours Friday that law enforcement was investigating an armed robbery at a gas station about 20 miles outside Tallahassee, during which four people were shot and two died from their injuries. The suspect then fled the scene, and later shot and injured a Suwannee County sheriff's deputy, officials said.
Several hours after officials responded to the gas station, the suspect’s vehicle was spotted in Columbia County, prompting a pursuit that included the Florida Highway Patrol, the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said.
“A pursuit by FHP, Columbia and Suwannee Co Sheriff’s offices led to the driver crashing,” the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office said in its update. “The driver then fired on the officers striking a Suwannee County deputy."
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The deputy, who was wearing body armor, suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff's office said several state and local agencies were coordinating on a manhunt, and officials urged residents who live near U.S. Highway 90 west, east of 129th Street and north of the highway, to shelter in place and lock their doors.
“Please avoid the area,” the Suwannee Sheriff’s Office said.
"Our deputy was shot but is OK," the sheriff's office said.
"The suspect we are chasing is suspected of shooting 4 people during a Robbery in Gadsden County, killing two," the sheriff's office said. "We have a massive law enforcement response in the area."