Fla. Officer Dies in Crash During Chase with Shooting Suspect

A Florida police officer was killed when his cruiser collided with a suspect in a triple shooting who was trying to elude authorities early Wednesday.

The incident happened at about 1:30 a.m. after a 37-year-old man allegedly shot three relatives in a Tallahassee home, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. A Leon County sheriff's deputy responding to the shooting spotted the suspect's car, and a chase began.

"The suspect then turned his vehicle around and began traveling toward oncoming traffic, colliding with the (Tallahassee police) officer's vehicle," said TPD Deputy Chief Jason Laursen.

The 34-year-old officer was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The suspect also was taken to the hospital, but his injuries weren't considered life-threatening.

"This tragic loss is a painful reminder that law enforcement officers are often victims of violent criminal acts and they put their lives at risk on a daily basis to serve and protect others," Richard Murphy, president of the Big Bend chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement.

The name of the officer has not been released, but Murphy said he had been with the department for four years. He also had served with the Wilton Manors Police Department in South Florida.