ORLANDO, Fla. – An investigation involving a barricaded suspect forced law enforcement to block Lee Road and Edgewater Drive near Lake Fairview on Friday afternoon, according to the Orlando Police Department.
People were asked to avoid the area if possible, according to the police department’s social media. Lee Road has since been reopened.
News 6 crews observed Edgewater Drive was closed from Lee Road to Fairbanks Avenue. We also saw at least one SWAT vehicle and a group of law-enforcement officers with guns drawn entering a tattoo shop through broken windows.
In a news conference, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said that investigators had tried to serve a search warrant at the tattoo shop where multiple suspects were gathered around 2 p.m.
“The investigation involved multiple suspects with extensive criminal histories, including burglary, robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, sex offenses, drug offenses, auto theft, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,” he said.
Shortly after police arrived, though, they spotted a man leaving the tattoo shop armed with a rifle that resembled an AK-47, Smith added.
Officers then fired at the suspect, who fled back inside the business, Smith said.
According to Smith, one suspect died at the scene. Meanwhile, the officers were not injured and were placed on administrative leave.
Shortly after 4 p.m., Orlando police appeared to be taking a subject into custody. No information has been provided on the subject’s identity.
The identities of the other suspects involved in this case have also yet to be released.
This is a developing story and is being updated.
Note: This map depicts the general area of this scene and not necessarily an exact location.