TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida official says a sheriff's deputy and a gunman have been killed in shootout near Tallahassee.
The official says the gunman set his house on fire Saturday morning and fatally shot the first deputy who arrived. The second deputy who arrived was shot but saved by his bullet-resistant vest. His injuries are not believed to be serious.
The official said a Tallahassee police officer who lived nearby heard the shooting, threw on his vest, grabbed his gun and ran to the house. The officer shot the suspect dead.
The government official asked not to be named because he was not authorized to release the information.
The names of the deputies or the gunman have not been released.
Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement on the incident.
Scott wrote: "Today, we are saddened to learn of a Leon County sheriff's deputy who was killed in the line of duty this morning. We also learned that another sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded, and we hope for their speedy recovery. Ann and I pray that God provides comfort to those who have been impacted by these senseless acts, and we also pray that God watch over the heroes in law enforcement who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our loved ones. Law enforcement in our state's Capitol area faced especially tumultuous circumstances this week, and they have responded with the kind of bravery and heroism that families across Florida honor."
