A devastating incident unfolded in central Florida when a deputy was killed and two others were injured in what Sheriff Peyton Grinnell described as an 'ambush' following a disturbance call on Friday night. The shooting occurred at a residence in Eustis, located approximately 40 miles north of Orlando, around 8 p.m.
According to Sheriff Grinnell, deputies initially responded to a disturbance at one house but were redirected to another property where a more serious situation was unfolding. Upon arriving at the second house, deputies encountered a chaotic scene with the back door kicked in and gunfire erupting from inside.
The deputies faced a barrage of bullets as they entered the home, resulting in injuries to two of them. Tragically, one deputy was fatally shot and trapped inside the residence while another deputy managed to escape. Additional law enforcement personnel arrived to assist, but they too came under fire when attempting to rescue the trapped deputy.
During the operation, two suspects were found dead inside the home by a SWAT team, while a third suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The identities of the deputies and individuals involved in the incident have not been disclosed at this time.
Sheriff Grinnell revealed that a search of the residence uncovered 'multiple firearms,' including both long guns and handguns. While an animal enforcement unit had visited the property previously, there were no indications of prior violent crimes associated with the location.
This tragic event marks the first death of a deputy in the community since February 2005, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
