'Cowardly act': TPD officer shot, injured as manhunt launched for three suspects

A Tallahassee Police Department officer was shot and injured in an "ambush" early Monday after responding to a drug-related home invasion robbery at an apartment complex off West Tharpe Street.

The officer, whose name was not released, was rushed to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for serious injuries. He was listed in stable condition, TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said in a morning news conference.

"This is absolutely an ambush," Revell said. "This is absolutely a cowardly act. And absolutely, we will not tolerate this in our city. We will not have this in our city."

Revell said no arrests have been made but that a "manhunt" is on for three suspects.

"I assure you we will find them, and we will bring them to justice," the chief said.

By afternoon, police officers had a lead.

Officers stopped a car just after 1 p.m. at the Baymont Inn & Suites on North Monroe Street that was in the vicinity of the scene early Monday morning, TPD spokesperson Heather Merritt said. The men were detained, but not arrested.

"Two individuals are being questioned to determine if they were involved," Merritt said.

Witnesses described a heavy law enforcement presence outside the hotel, located just south of Interstate 10 next to a Waffle House. The U.S. Marshals Service is assisting TPD in the investigation, Merritt said.

The incident marked the first shooting, either fatal or non-fatal, of a Tallahassee police officer since 2002, when Sgt. Dale Green was ambushed and killed while responding to a home-invasion robbery.

Police responded around 2:30 a.m. to what was initially reported as a residential burglary at the Villas of Westridge on Sandpiper Street off West Tharpe Street.

“Through the ongoing investigation, it was determined responding officers interrupted a targeted, drug-related home invasion in progress,” TPD said in a news release.

A suspect, who matched the description given by a witness in a 911 call, was observed by officers running away from the scene. Officers pursued the suspect and ordered him to surrender, but the chase continued.

“During the foot pursuit, another involved suspect emerged from the residence and began firing at the officers,” TPD said. “The rounds struck one of the responding officers, and they immediately returned fire.”

TPD’s Tactical Apprehension and Control Team responded and “worked quickly to ensure the safety of residents in the area,” the department said. After the shooting, TPD urged residents in the Tharpe Street area to stay inside their homes and motorists to avoid the area.

Two officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave, which is customary, while TPD investigates the incident.

“TPD remains committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the events leading up and resulting from the shooting,” the department said.

Revell praised police and first responders who quickly rendered care and got him to the hospital via ambulance.

"Our officers do and did an incredible job," he said. "They acted heroically in not only responding to the medical needs of their fellow officer but also making sure that everybody in that community was safe."

Residents of apartment complex call officer shooting 'terrifying'

On Monday morning, crime scene tape surrounded the parking lot at the Villas of Westridge as officers and forensics teams remained on the scene. At least 27 evidence markers were on the ground. By noon, the crime scene tape was gone as residents began going about their business as usual again.

Kostijn Koelemij said he returned home Monday for the first time in two days to flashing lights and crime scene tape at the complex. After learning what had happened, Koelemij, who has lived at the complex about a month, called the news “terrifying."

“I knew that some kind of (drug) activity was going on because of the traffic all day and night," he said.

Jacob Barker, who has lived at the Villas of Westridge for four years, said he's trying to find a nicer and affordable place to live. He also said he could tell there was drug activity "from the smell alone."

“Normally I keep to myself," Barker said.

The shooting marked the second time this year in which officers were attacked in what police described as an ambush. On May 25, a woman opened fire on officers at Tom Brown Park, prompting them to return fatal fire. A grand jury report released last week found that all of the officers acted appropriately when they used lethal force against her.

The incident followed the end of a bloody summer in Tallahassee that included brazen daylight shootings in public spaces and three double-homicides. So far this year, 19 people have been killed in shootings in the capital city, including 14 between June and early September. Two of the victims were children who died in accidents involving guns.

Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee police officer shot, injured. Manhunt on for 3 suspects