BLUE LIVES

One Police Officer Killed, Another Seriously Injured in Florida Shooting

Authorities say the officers may have been ambushed.

One police officer was killed and another is in grave condition after a late night shooting in Florida. Authorities say two officers investigating reports of drug activity in the town of Kissimmee were shot in what may have been an ambush. “They were surprised,” Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O’Dell said at a Saturday morning news conference. Asked if the officers had fallen victim to a sneak attack, O’Dell said, “It’s too early to tell, but it’s leading that way.” Police say they have arrested and charged a 46-year-old man in connection with the shooting. The officers were identified as Matthew Baxter, a three-year veteran of the force, and Sgt. Sam Howard, a 10-year veteran. Baxter died of his injuries, leaving behind three children. Howard is in grave critical condition with a grim prognosis, O’Dell said. In a separate incident in Jacksonville late Friday, officers responding to a reported suicide attempt were met by a suspect firing a high-powered rifle, who was subsequently shot dead. Two police officers were injured in the shootout.