'Massive manhunt' ends in suspect's death after 5 shot, 2 killed, deputy injured

Yahoo

07-02-2025

9:03 a.m. update:
The suspect who allegedly shot five people, killing two and wounding a deputy, was killed in a confrontation with law enforcement, according to the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office.
"Suspect has been killed during an exchange of gunfire with SWAT in Columbia County!" the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. "Let's pray for the victims and the healing for their families during this tragic time!"
The Sheriff's Office told the public to "standby for more" information.
Earlier update:
A massive, multi-agency manhunt is underway after a man allegedly went on a bloody rampage, shooting four people, two fatally, during a gas station robbery in Gadsden County before fleeing the area and later shooting and injuring a Suwannee County deputy.
The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said early Friday that the agency and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were investigating an armed robbery that happened at the Mobile gas station at 3749 Pat Thomas Parkway.
'As a result of the robbery, four victims were shot and two victims succumbed to their injuries,' the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post around 12:30 a.m. Friday.
Seven hours later, the Sheriff's Office said that the suspect's vehicle was spotted in Columbia County, prompting a pursuit that included the Florida Highway Patrol.
'A pursuit by FHP, Columbia and Suwannee Co Sheriff's offices led to the driver crashing,' the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said in its update. 'The driver then fired on the officers striking a Suwannee County deputy.
The deputy, who was wearing body armor, suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening, the Sheriff's Office said.
'The suspect fled on foot and is now the target of a massive manhunt involving the FHP, GCSO, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Columbia Co, Suwannee Co and FDLE,' the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said.
In Suwannee County, the Sheriff's Office urged all residents who live around U.S. Highway 90 west, east of 129th Street and north of the highway, to shelter in place and lock their doors.
'Please avoid the area,' the Sheriff's Office said. 'US 90 West is closed between 133rd Road and Goldkist Blvd for the foreseeable future.'
In a 6:30 a.m. update on Facebook, the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office said the suspect fired on two of its deputies, striking one.
"Our deputy was shot but is OK," the Sheriff's Office said.
The suspect we are chasing is suspected of shooting 4 people during a Robbery in Gadsden County, killing two," the Sheriff's Office said. "We have a massive law enforcement response in the area containing him and apprehend him."
The Suwannee County Sheriff's Office described the suspect as a black man wearing a dark top and black pants and carrying a black backpack and at least one handgun.
The Gadsden Sheriff's Office released an image of the suspect and the suspect's vehicle, a light-colored SUV. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator DeLeon at the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office at 850-627-9233 or the anonymous Big Bend Crime Solvers line at 850-574-8477.
Check back with Tallahassee.com for more on this breaking story.
Contact Jeff Burlew at [e-mail] or 850-599-2180.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Manhunt in Florida: Suspect killed after shooting rampage; deputy shot