Miami, USA.
Four people, including a three-month-old baby and his mother, were killed Sunday in a shooting in Polk County, central-west Florida, when a former U.S. Marine who claimed to be “a survivor” shot at several housing, authorities have reported.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told a news conference that the suspect, who was arrested after being injured in a confrontation with authorities, was dressed in camouflage, wearing a bulletproof vest and said he had gone for a “shooting.”
Grady stressed that there is “zero connection between the killer and the victims” and that the assailant was under the effect of methamphetamines.
The attack took place early Sunday morning when the suspect, identified as Bryan Riley, 33, shot at several houses in the same block in the town of Lakeland, the bailiff detailed.
A 33-year-old mother and her three-month-old baby died while holding her in their arms, and an 11-year-old girl who is being treated at Tampa General Hospital was also injured in multiple shootings, according to the authorities.
In another adjoining apartment to die the baby’s grandmother, 66, detailed the bailiff, who said “just in case little evil” killed a dog as well.
The bailiff’s office received several calls about an active shooter around 4.30am (8.30am GMT).
Officers from the bailiff, Lakeland police and elite U.S. police units (SWAT) responded to the area near Fulton Greed Road in Lakeland.
“Officers were attacked when they arrived near a residence,” Bishop Judd explained.
He said about 100 rounds were fired between officers and the suspect, who was in Iraq and Afghanistan. and who was currently working for a security company.
The suspect, who had no criminal record and surrendered after being shot, was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he tried to grab a police officer’s weapon.
Judd said two separate shootings occurred “shortly” before the suspect surrendered.