Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

A Florida shooting puts 2 officers in the hospital; the suspect is later killed in hotel shootout

This image from video by WFTV shows emergency vehicles near the site of a shooting that critically injured two police officers on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (WFTV via AP) This image from video by WFTV shows emergency vehicles near the site of a shooting that critically injured two police officers on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (WFTV via AP)
Share
ORLANDO, Fla. -

A suspect in the shooting of two Florida police officers was fatally shot by SWAT team members Saturday several hours later after he barricaded himself in a hotel in Orlando's tourist district, the culmination of a manhunt across central Florida, police officials said.

The Orlando Police Department officers stopped a vehicle around 11 p.m. Friday as part of an investigation of a Miami homicide and were shot by the suspect in the car, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said during a press conference early Saturday.

The officers, who were not immediately identified, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Hospital officials said Saturday afternoon that the officers were expected to fully recover.

"Both officers are with us. They are with their families. We have been taking care of them throughout the night," Michael Cheatham, a surgeon at the hospital, said at an afternoon news conference. "We expect them to fully recover from their injuries sustained in the line of duty."

After shooting the officers, the suspect carjacked another vehicle and police pursued, but did not immediately catch the suspect.

About seven hours later, officers tracked the suspect down to a Holiday Inn near Universal Orlando Resort in the city's tourist district and evacuated guests staying at the hotel. The suspect refused to come out of the hotel room and fired shots at officers who returned fire, Smith said at an afternoon news conference.

"Our officers faced danger throughout the night trying to locate the suspect as two of our own were critically injured," Smith said. "They are lucky to be alive, and we ask that you continue to pray for them."

Smith said the suspect had an extensive criminal history.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he had visited the hospital and met with the families of the officers.

"Our entire community's thoughts and prayers are with these officers," Dyer said at the news conference.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.

'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.

Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.

Embattled B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman is under fire once again, this time for past Facebook comments casting doubt on the official accounts of mass shooting events in Canada and the U.S.

Local Spotlight

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Chef Paul Natrall, the man behind Indigenous food truck Mr. Bannock, is bringing cooking classes on First Nations fare to schools and offices throughout Metro Vancouver.

The Celtic Colours Festival is taking place at venues around Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia from Oct. 11 to 19.

Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.

Canadian hip hop artist Dillan King says running 100 marathons in 100 days was not only the hardest thing he has ever done, but the 'proudest accomplishment' of his entire life.

James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn't buy.

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of a large blizzard that paralyzed Manitoba.

There was an eye-catching mix of rainbows and lightning over Vancouver following a brief downpour this week.

Jeff Warner from Aidie Creek Gardens in the northern Ontario community of Englehart has a passion for growing big pumpkins and his effort is paying off in more ways than one.

Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).