By ALASTAIR JAMIESON and CHELSEA BAILEY
(NBC News) - Six police officers were shot, two fatally, in three separate incidents in Florida and Pennsylvania late Friday, officials said.
Two officers were shot in Kissimmee, Fla.,around 9:30 p.m., just south of the theme park hub of Orlando, central Florida. They both later died from their wounds.
In Jacksonville, two officers were critically wounded in a shoot-out, while two state troopers were also shot in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
In Kissimmee, officers Sam Howard and Matthew Baxter were checking suspects in an area of the city for drug activity when they were shot, Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O'Dell said at a news conference. They did not have an opportunity to return fire.
"They were surprised," O'Dell said. When asked whether they were ambushed, he said, "It's too early to tell, but it's leading that way."
Baxter, a three-year veteran of the department, died later at a hospital Friday. The 27-year-old was married to another officer and father to four young children.
Howard, a 10-year veteran, died from his wounds Saturday afternoon, the department said.
Police have arrested and charged suspect Everett Glenn Miller, 45, with first degree murder in connection with Baxter's murder. Additional charges were not immediately announced.
"There may have been some type of scuffle, ending in the shooting that took Officer Baxter's life," O'Dell said. He added that Miller does not seem to have an extensive criminal history. around 9:30 p.m., just south of the theme park hub of Orlando, central Florida. They both later died from their wounds.
In Jacksonville, two officers were critically wounded in a shoot-out, while two state troopers were also shot in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.The officers were checking three of the suspects when Miller allegedly opened fire and fled. He was later identified and arrested by the sheriff's office and initially charged with having two concealed weapons.
"This is devastating to law enforcement and heart breaking," O'Dell said. "They were the epitome of what you ask for in law enforcement officers."
O'Dell said the officers were not wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting.
President Donald Trump tweeted that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the local police “and their loved ones.”
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