Murder suspect

dead after fleeing

Quincy gas station

where two were

shot and killed

by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com

QUINCY, FL – Investigators are trying to determine the identity of a man who killed two people during a Gadsden County gas station robbery-homicide and shot two others Thursday night.

“As far as we can tell, he’s not local,” said Capt. Anglie Holmes of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office of the man, who was traveling in an Enterprise rental vehicle thought to have been stolen from Indiana or Illinois. “FDLE is trying to confirm his identity,” she said.

*The shooting suspect is shown during Thursday night’s robbery-homicide in Quincy.*

The suspect was later shot and killed by a SWAT team member in Columbia County following a chase in which he crashed while being pursued by a law enforcement officers, according to information posted online by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 9 a.m. today.

• • •

The suspect stopped at the Mobile Station on Pat Thomas Parkway in Quincy Thursday night, Feb. 6, and entered the store with a firearm. He fatally shot and killed both the store clerk, a 32-year-old woman, and a 23-year-old male Budweiser truck driver who was making a delivery, according to the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.

When the shooter ran outside, he saw two people pull up in a vehicle and fired at both of them. The female driver and her male passenger escaped with non-life threatening injuries, according to the captain.

The shooter then fled the scene in a light-colored SUV. Security cameras caught the tag number and law enforcement began the search.

The suspect was described as a black man wearing a dark top and black pants, carrying a black backpack and at least one handgun.

• • •

The suspect’s tag was picked up on a traffic camera in Columbia County early this morning and he was soon being pursued by FHP, along with officers from the Suwannee County and Columbia County Sheriff’s Offices.

The chase ended when the suspect lost control of the car and crashed. He then got out and started firing on officers, injuring one deputy with a shot to his chest which was minimized by his body armor. The same deputy also suffered a foot injury, “but is doing fine,” according to Capt. Holmes.

The suspect fled on foot but was discovered after the sheriff’s office received a report of suspicious person at 8:30 a.m. He was found about two miles from the crash site and began shooting when officers caught up with him.

He was then shot dead by a SWAT team member.

UPDATES ISSUED Friday at 4 p.m.:

NEWS RELEASES

Fugitive responsible for

shooting deputy is deceased,

threat to public resolved

Suwannee County SO, Live Oak PD, Columbia County SO, FDLE, FHP,

regional state and local law enforcement partners respond

LIVE OAK, Fla. – The at-large fugitive responsible for shooting a Suwannee County deputy today is deceased and the threat to the public has been resolved. Following protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning, the suspect led Suwannee and Columbia County deputies, Florida Highway Patrol troopers and partner law enforcement officers on a vehicular pursuit that ended in Suwannee County. The suspect crashed in the area of US 90 West near Goldkist Boulevard. As the suspect fled on foot, he fired on the responding officers, striking a sheriff’s deputy.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., officers with the Live Oak Police Department responded to a suspicious person call roughly two miles from the crash scene. The suspect again fired at the responding officers who returned fire. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Live Oak Police Department requested FDLE to investigate the officer involved shooting, as is standard protocol. FDLE’s investigation is active and FDLE will not be providing any additional information at this time.

The wounded deputy is expected to make a full recovery.

Gadsden County Sheriff’s

Office news release

QUINCY, FL – Early this morning, Friday, Feb. 7, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office learned that the suspect in the robbery of the Mobile Gas Station, which resulted in the double homicide of two individuals and the injury of two others, was killed in a confrontation with Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Law enforcement officials informed our office that the suspect’s vehicle was spotted in Columbia County, resulting in the suspect’s pursuit by law enforcement officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, Columbia Police Department, and Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.

The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed, resulting in an exchange of fire between the suspect and law enforcement on the scene. A Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office deputy received three gunshot wounds. According to our sources, the injured deputy is currently in stable condition and receiving medical care.

The senseless violence perpetrated by the suspect has left many grieving. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deputy, the victims, and their families during this difficult time.

At this time, we cannot release the names of the victims. We are committed to notifying the families and ask for your patience in consideration of the families.

The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their swift response, dedication, and collaboration. While this incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers law enforcement encounters when apprehending suspects, it highlights the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts to protect the community and prevent further harm.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.