A Florida cop was shot dead and another was critically
wounded while four other police officers around the country
were struck by gunfire within two hours Friday night.
wounded while four other police officers around the country
were struck by gunfire within two hours Friday night.
Officer Matthew Baxter, a three-year veteran with the
Kissimmee Police Department, was killed and Sgt. Sam
Howard remains in grave critical condition at the Osceola
Regional Medical Center after being shot during a routine
check, according to Police Chief Jeff O'Dell. Howard is not
expected to survive, the police chief said Saturday.
Kissimmee Police Department, was killed and Sgt. Sam
Howard remains in grave critical condition at the Osceola
Regional Medical Center after being shot during a routine
check, according to Police Chief Jeff O'Dell. Howard is not
expected to survive, the police chief said Saturday.
Baxter and Howard responded to reports of a suspicious person
near Palmway and Cypress Sts. at 9:27 p.m., O'Dell said.
near Palmway and Cypress Sts. at 9:27 p.m., O'Dell said.
Within approximately five minutes, Kissimmee police received
calls to report that Baxter and Howard had been shot, according
to O'Dell.
calls to report that Baxter and Howard had been shot, according
to O'Dell.
"It looked like they were surprised," O'Dell said, before adding
that the officers were wearing their uniforms and did not return fire.
that the officers were wearing their uniforms and did not return fire.
Three suspects are in custody and a fourth is being sought.
Suspect Everett Glen Miller has been charged with
first-degree murder, it was announced Saturday.
Suspect Everett Glen Miller has been charged with
first-degree murder, it was announced Saturday.
Police from neighboring departments descended on the scene
and multiple agencies are investigating.
and multiple agencies are investigating.
Within four hours of the shooting, President Trump, who ran
a campaign emphasizing law and order, tweeted, "My thoughts
and prayers are with the @KissimmeePolice and their loved ones.
We are with you!"
a campaign emphasizing law and order, tweeted, "My thoughts
and prayers are with the @KissimmeePolice and their loved ones.
We are with you!"
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement saying he was
"hearbroken."
"hearbroken."
"Our law enforcement officers are true heroes and we will miss
these brave Floridians," he wrote.
these brave Floridians," he wrote.
Baxter, who is married to another officer in the department, has
three children, according to O'Dell.
three children, according to O'Dell.
Facebook user Mari Dionne cheered on Howard's recovery on
social media, writing, "Sam, you got this!! Don't u give up on us!!!
You bring too much joy, happiness and smiles to too many people ...
You have a beautiful wife and gorgeous daughter that still need you!!"
social media, writing, "Sam, you got this!! Don't u give up on us!!!
You bring too much joy, happiness and smiles to too many people ...
You have a beautiful wife and gorgeous daughter that still need you!!"
The Kissimmee Police Department, which consists of about 100 cops,
said it was the first time an officer died in the line of duty in 25 years, WESHreported.
said it was the first time an officer died in the line of duty in 25 years, WESHreported.
About 160 miles away in Jacksonville, two more police officers were
shot around 11 p.m. Friday, according to the sheriff's office. One officer
is reportedly in critical condition, while the other is stable.
shot around 11 p.m. Friday, according to the sheriff's office. One officer
is reportedly in critical condition, while the other is stable.
Police responded to an attempted suicide call on the 5100 block of
Seaboard Ave. One suspect was armed with a rifle, while three others
inside the house took refuge in a bedroom, the sheriff's office said
during a press conference early Saturday.
Seaboard Ave. One suspect was armed with a rifle, while three others
inside the house took refuge in a bedroom, the sheriff's office said
during a press conference early Saturday.
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