MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A shootout involving Marion County deputies left a suspect dead and a K-9 seriously injured. The incident occurred in Silver Springs, where deputies responded to a call for a suspected battery by strangulation. While attempting to apprehend the suspect, the K-9, named Leo, was shot, and the suspect then opened fire on the deputies. In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was shot and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The injured K-9, Leo, was rushed to UF Veterinary Hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
The incident at Silver Springs prompted lockdowns at nearby Dunnellon Middle School, Dunnellon Elementary, and High Schools after a 911 call reported an active shooter threat. Fortunately, no threat was found, and no one was hurt as a result of the incident. Despite the fright and trauma experienced by students, teachers, and parents during the lockdown, authorities confirmed that there was no active shooter on the school campus.
On a separate note, authorities in Marion County are also searching for the person responsible for hitting and killing a man riding his bike. Additionally, Ocoee police shot a minor suspected of stealing from a Walmart, although no gun was found on the individual.
In Brevard County, the Florida Highway Patrol is looking for the driver who hit and killed a man in a wheelchair. The incident occurred on US One and Canaveral Groves Boulevard, and the driver is expected to be in a Buick Enclave SUV made between 2013 and 2017, with likely damage to the front right side.
These recent events have left the community in shock and prompted officials to closely investigate and search for those responsible. Investigations are currently ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to the respective law enforcement agencies involved. The impact of these incidents on the local community has yet to be fully understood, but authorities are working diligently to gather information and ensure justice is served.