Two Florida cops killed in shooting, 4 others hit by gunfire across U.S.
Six police officers were shot late Friday night — including two fatally — in three separate incidents in Florida and Pennsylvania, authorities said.
Late Friday in Kissimmee, Fla., police say officer Matthew Baxter stopped three people while on patrol, and called Sgt. Sam Howard for backup. When the stop turned violent, police say Everett Miller, 45, pulled out a gun and shot both officers. Both officers, who didn’t return fire, later died of their injuries, Kissimmee police Chief Jeff O’Dell said.
Cops from a neighboring community tracked Miller to bar several hours later. As they approached him, O’Dell said Miller reached for his waistband, prompting sheriff’s deputies to tackle and subdue him. When they searched him, O’Dell said officers found Miller was in possession of two handguns.
O’Dell said Miller had made threats to law enforcement on social media. He was taken into custody using Baxter’s handcuffs.
Baxter, 27, had been with the Kissimmee Police Department for three years, and was married to another Kissimmee officer with whom he had four children.
Howard, 36, had been with the department for 10 years and leaves behind a wife and child, O’Dell said.
“They are two wonderful men,” the chief said. “Family men.”
President Trump said yesterday his thoughts and prayers are with the police department, tweeting, “We are with you!”
Also late Friday in Florida, Jacksonville police officers Michael Fox and Kevin Jarrell were shot while responding to a report of an attempted suicide where concerned residents said a woman and a 19-month-old toddler may have been in danger.
When they arrived, police say the officers heard gunfire and entered the house. Once inside, police say Derrick Brabham opened fire on them with a semiautomatic rifle, hitting one officer in the hands and the other in the stomach. Brabham was shot and killed.
Fox and Jarrell were listed in stable condition yesterday, but face a long road to recovery, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said.
In Pennsylvania Friday, two state troopers were serving a warrant in Fairchance, Pa., when an unnamed suspect began shooting at them, hitting one in the hand and the other in the stomach, according to media reports. Both were conscious and alert and the shooter was shot and killed.