Police: Gunman who critically injured 2 Orlando officers has been shot, killed by SWAT team

Orlando police Chief Eric Smith delivered an update about a Friday night shooting in downtown Orlando that left two officers critically injured.Those two Orlando police officers are at Orlando Heath. They are expected to fully recover.The suspected shooter was killed in a gunfight early Saturday morning by SWAT team members.It began at 6 a.m. when officers evacuated a Holiday Inn on Caravan Court, where the suspect, 28-year-old Daton Viel, barricaded himself in a room.He refused to come out, and it escalated. A video from a guest at the Holiday Inn in Orlando showed the moment dozens of guests were forced to evacuate the hotel as SWAT officers flooded the building looking for Viel. “At 8:58, the suspect shot at our SWAT officers multiple times. SWAT officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect is now deceased,” Smith said. The officers who were injured were shot at 11 p.m. Friday night when they were investigating a car connected to a Miami homicide case driven by Viel.According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, on July 10 at 1:40 p.m., a man, Michael Williams, was killed in a shooting.Surveillance footage helped Miami-Dade police identify a vehicle connected to the homicide.That vehicle was found in Orlando Friday night, and that’s when Orlando officers investigated.Police say Viel allegedly opened fire on the Orlando officers – fleeing in a carjacked vehicle.Then a manhunt ensued Friday night.Initially, police were looking for two suspects – then just Viel. Smith explained Viel, who has an extensive criminal history, acted alone. He was the sole suspect. That hunt ended at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning. “To those officers and their families who I had an opportunity to meet with earlier today, I want to thank them for their service and dedication to our city. They put their lives on the line every single day to keep our community safe,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.The chief assured no threat remains to the community. Officials say the two Orlando police officers who were shot are expected to make a full recovery. “We stand ready at anytime, 24/7, just for an event such as this,” an Orlando Regional Medical Center doctor said. The suspect, Viel, had been arrested earlier this year, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He bonded out in June. “These officers are out here every day protecting our community. They put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. For some piece of crap to do this to them because they don’t want to go back to jail is ridiculous,” Smith said. Christian Frisby and his family were part of the crowd evacuated from the hotel on Saturday. “It’s unnerving. Because usually we come out here and we’re just trying to have a good time. We’re trying to spend time with our families and everyone’s kind of living for the same thing,” Frisby said. “We’re just trying to be peace, you know. So with people out there disrupting that piece in such a massive way is it’s kind of horrible.” “Our officers are lucky to be alive, and we ask you to pray for them,” Smith said. According to an affidavit, Viel had been placed on probation on Feb. 22 for allegedly trespassing on a construction site in Orange County. The affidavit says he later violated probation.On June 30, Viel was driving in the area of Gemini Boulevard and University Boulevard when UCF police detected a stolen license plate, the affidavit said.After dispatchers told UCF officers that Viel had a warrant for trespassing in Orange County, police tried to arrest him. Before officers could arrest him, the affidavit says Viel ran away. Though another officer tried to apprehend Viel, he got back into the vehicle and sped away, according to the affidavit. Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update on suspect after 2 officers shotOfficials show support for injured Orlando officersSeveral law enforcement agencies assisted the Orlando Police Department after two of the department’s officers were shot Friday night, with many showing support.Orange County Sheriff’s Office tweeted, “We are pulling for the injured officers and standing shoulder to shoulder with our OPD partners, doing everything we can to bring these suspects to justice. Please join us in praying for the officers’ recovery.”Daytona Beach police Chief Jakari Young tweeted in response to the shooting, saying, “Prayers up for the two Orlando Police officers that were shot and critically injured in Downtown. I pledge my full support and resources to Orlando Police in pursuit of the suspects!”The well wishes continue to pour in from Seminole County to Titusville. Gov. Ron DeSantis also showed support for Orlando police. “Casey DeSantis and I are praying for the officers, their families and the entire Orlando Police (Department). Our brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect,” DeSantis said on Twitter. Dyer and UCF police also extended their sympathies to Orlando police, the two wounded officers and their families.”Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. Last night two @OrlandoPolice officers were shot during a proactive stop doing just that. I visited the officers and their families this morning and shared our community’s support with them,” Dyer wrote on Twitter.Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update after 2 officers shotWESH 2 News has several crews working to provide live updates on this breaking story. Stay with us for the latest information.Top headlines: 2 people aboard plane that crashed onto Volusia County yard, officials say Elderly victims targeted in Orlando’s ‘bank jugging’ crime wave 6-year-old found under Fun Spot roller coaster with ‘traumatic injuries,’ officials say

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Orlando police Chief Eric Smith delivered an update about a Friday night shooting in downtown Orlando that left two officers critically injured.

Those two Orlando police officers are at Orlando Heath. They are expected to fully recover.

The suspected shooter was killed in a gunfight early Saturday morning by SWAT team members.

It began at 6 a.m. when officers evacuated a Holiday Inn on Caravan Court, where the suspect, 28-year-old Daton Viel, barricaded himself in a room.

He refused to come out, and it escalated.

A video from a guest at the Holiday Inn in Orlando showed the moment dozens of guests were forced to evacuate the hotel as SWAT officers flooded the building looking for Viel.

“At 8:58, the suspect shot at our SWAT officers multiple times. SWAT officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect is now deceased,” Smith said.

The officers who were injured were shot at 11 p.m. Friday night when they were investigating a car connected to a Miami homicide case driven by Viel.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, on July 10 at 1:40 p.m., a man, Michael Williams, was killed in a shooting.

Surveillance footage helped Miami-Dade police identify a vehicle connected to the homicide.

That vehicle was found in Orlando Friday night, and that’s when Orlando officers investigated.

Police say Viel allegedly opened fire on the Orlando officers – fleeing in a carjacked vehicle.

Then a manhunt ensued Friday night.

Initially, police were looking for two suspects – then just Viel. Smith explained Viel, who has an extensive criminal history, acted alone. He was the sole suspect.

That hunt ended at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning.

“To those officers and their families who I had an opportunity to meet with earlier today, I want to thank them for their service and dedication to our city. They put their lives on the line every single day to keep our community safe,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

The chief assured no threat remains to the community.

Officials say the two Orlando police officers who were shot are expected to make a full recovery.

“We stand ready at anytime, 24/7, just for an event such as this,” an Orlando Regional Medical Center doctor said.

The suspect, Viel, had been arrested earlier this year, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He bonded out in June.

“These officers are out here every day protecting our community. They put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. For some piece of crap to do this to them because they don’t want to go back to jail is ridiculous,” Smith said.

Christian Frisby and his family were part of the crowd evacuated from the hotel on Saturday.

“It’s unnerving. Because usually we come out here and we’re just trying to have a good time. We’re trying to spend time with our families and everyone’s kind of living for the same thing,” Frisby said. “We’re just trying to be peace, you know. So with people out there disrupting that piece in such a massive way is it’s kind of horrible.”

“Our officers are lucky to be alive, and we ask you to pray for them,” Smith said.

According to an affidavit, Viel had been placed on probation on Feb. 22 for allegedly trespassing on a construction site in Orange County. The affidavit says he later violated probation.

On June 30, Viel was driving in the area of Gemini Boulevard and University Boulevard when UCF police detected a stolen license plate, the affidavit said.

After dispatchers told UCF officers that Viel had a warrant for trespassing in Orange County, police tried to arrest him. Before officers could arrest him, the affidavit says Viel ran away.

Though another officer tried to apprehend Viel, he got back into the vehicle and sped away, according to the affidavit.

Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update on suspect after 2 officers shot

Officials show support for injured Orlando officers

Several law enforcement agencies assisted the Orlando Police Department after two of the department’s officers were shot Friday night, with many showing support.