Tarpon Springs officer killed in early morning shooting

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A Tarpon Springs police officer was shot and killed around 3 a.m. this morning. Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies and the Tarpon Springs Police Department are investigating the shooting that happened at Glen’s Eureka Apartments on Grand Avenue near the Sponge Docks.

WTSP reports officers were dispatched for a noise complaint. The suspect was banging on residents’ doors. When police arrived the suspect shot at the officers and then fled in a vehicle before crashing.

The fallen officer and suspect have not yet been identified, but Bay News 9 reports both were male. The 24-hour news station also reports the vehicles involved may have been a white Hyundai and a pickup truck.

Police are expected to brief media soon. The shooting comes just one day after two officers were killed during an ambush on their vehicle in New York City. The suspect in that shooting later committed suicide.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].