Gunman holds 4 kids hostage after shooting Orlando cop

Authorities in Orlando, Florida, on Monday said a suspect who shot a police officer has barricaded himself in an apartment in the central Florida city with four children.

Officers arrived at an apartment complex near the Universal Orlando theme park late Sunday after a woman said she been battered by the suspect, whom she described as her boyfriend, police said.

Police and the suspect, Gary Lindsey Jr. – who as of Monday afternoon was with four children ages 1,7, 10 and 12 in the apartment – exchanged gunfire, and one officer was seriously hurt. The woman had left the apartment after she was allegedly assaulted.

Police chief John Mina said that the officer, Kevin Valencia, was listed in critical condition with “very significant injuries” but expected to survive. It was unclear if the suspect had been injured in the gunfire.

“We are trying to negotiate with the subject so that he peacefully surrenders,” Mina said. “Our main concern right now is the safety of the children in that apartment.”

Mina said that during the standoff, which began about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, police negotiators hadengaged Lindsey in talks five times. Lindsey is the father of two of the children, while the other two are children of the girlfriend, according to police.

Lindsey is a convicted felon who has previously faced arson and domestic abuse charges, Mina said.

Judy Pepper, a resident of the apartment complex, told the Orlando Sentinel that she looked out her window after hearing the pops of gunfire and saw three people carrying a police officer onto the grass.

She said other officers arrived, tended to his wounds, then put him in a patrol car and sped away. “Hell, yes, I was absolutely terrified,” she said.