GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two Gainesville police officers were injured in a shooting on Wednesday morning, according to News 6 news partner WJXT.
Around 8 a.m., multiple police officers and Alachua County deputies responded to the scene on E. University Avenue, near Waldo Road.
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One of the two suspects involved in the shooting has died, and the two officers who were shot were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Police said officers spotted a red car and tried to stop the driver, who then got out of the car and started firing on the officers. Additional officers responded and shot the suspect, killing him.
While conducting their investigation, officers found the body of another person in the Imeca Lumber & Hardware store. Police said they believe the victim’s death was connected to the initial shots fired.
Police Chief Nelson Moya said the suspect entered the store after parking behind a nearby KFC, walked over to the lumber yard, shot the victim, and went back to his car in an attempt to flee.
The police chief said they currently don’t know the relationship between the shooter and the victim, but they do know that he acted with “clear intent.”
“I’ve since met with them and their families to express my gratitude for their heroism and their actions today, which resulted, not only in them, in essence, neutralizing somebody who was out to commit murder, but also ensuring that the rest of our public was safe,” said Moya.
A University of Florida spokesperson said the incident is not impacting university operations, and no university officers were involved.