ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando police officer shot a gunman Friday afternoon at a busy intersection, officials said.
Reports of an armed man prompted officers to flock to John Young Parkway near Old Winter Garden Road, according to the Orlando Police Department.
In a post shared on X, police said there was police activity in the 400 block of South John Young Parkway and asked the public to avoid the area.
In a news update later that afternoon, OPD Chief Eric Smith announced that police had received a call around 2:20 p.m. about an armed man in all-black clothing at the BP gas station along John Young Parkway near Bus Center Boulevard.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and found the man on the sidewalk outside the gas station, Smith explained. The man had reportedly been walking back and forth between the gas station and near the Greyhound Bus Station.
“He was still holding the gun,” Smith stated. “Officers gave multiple commands to the suspect to drop the gun. The suspect refused the commands and was shot by one officer.”
The man was taken to a hospital for treatment and was in stable condition, Smith said.
According to Smith, the suspect has an extensive criminal history, having served 20 years in prison for second-degree murder before being released in 2023.
However, Smith told reporters that he wasn’t sure what the man’s intentions were.
“With all the calls we received, to be walking around with a gun at a busy intersection — I’m not sure what he was going through. But obviously, he was going through something,” Smith said. “And then not to drop the gun after being given verbal commands? That’s not a good thing.”
The armed man now faces several charges, though Smith didn’t clarify what those charges entailed.
Smith also announced that police are asking drivers to avoid the area as the investigation continues.
“It’ll probably be about four or five hours, so it’ll be through rush hour,” he stated. “That whole area will be shut down.”
In addition, Smith said that the officer involved in the shooting was uninjured and placed on paid administrative leave, which is protocol.
No other details, including the suspect’s name, have been released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: