A Florida police officer was shot dead and a second one critically injured in what may have been an ambush while responding to a call in Kissimmee, authorities said.
Within minutes, gunfire erupted, surprising the officers, who were not able to return fire, O’Dell said.
« Officers immediately responded to the area and found two of their fallen brothers gravely injured on the road way, » O’Dell said.
Baxter, a three-year-veteran of the Kissimmee Police Department, was pronounced dead. Howard remains hospitalized.
Police arrested three people following the shooting, and are searching for a fourth person.
« At this time, we have a strong suspect in custody that we are interviewing, » O’Dell said.
Following the news of the shooting, President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences.
« My thoughts and prayers are with the @KissimmeePolice and their loved ones. We are with you! » the President said.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott described Baxter as a husband, a father and a hero.
« Tonight we lost a brave officer – Matthew Baxter, » he tweeted.
Kissimmee is about 20 miles south of Orlando.
