On April 8, just after 11 p.m., an officer with the Tallahassee Police Department on routine patrol made contact with a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in the 800 block of Ocala Road.
Three adults (two males, one female) and a child were in the car. The driver stepped out of the vehicle to talk with the officer as another officer arrived to assist.
At that time, the other male in the vehicle moved to the driver’s seat and quickly fled the scene, taking the female passenger and child.
The backup officer, who responded to assist, was struck by the vehicle causing injuries that required treatment at a local hospital.
A description of the vehicle was issued, and a short time later the vehicle was found abandoned in the 100 block of Valencia Drive. Officers were canvassing the area to locate the occupants when an individual ran out of a nearby residence stating that someone was inside their home holding hostages.
Knowing others could still be in danger, officers approached the open door of the residence and gave verbal commands that the apartment was surrounded. Officers were securing the perimeter when the armed male suspect jumped from a second story window on the back of the home.
The suspect raised his weapon at an officer. Fearing for their life, the officer then fired their weapon, disarming the suspect.
Life-saving aid was rendered on scene to the suspect, who was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The female passenger and child were both located in the home unharmed and safe. The home’s residents and nearby neighbors were also unharmed.
This is an open and active investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
