MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne police officer was shot during an incident at a Melbourne hotel Friday, police said.
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Police said officers responded to a 911 call at the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel around 5 p.m.
According to a release, once the officers arrived at the scene, two people shot at them inside the hotel room.
Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie said officers had a brief conversation with the suspect through the door.
But the suspect became silent, and it is still unclear what exactly was happening behind the closed door.
Police said the suspects barricaded themselves in the room and bolted the door shut before firing at officers through the door.
“When he got to 3, 2, 1, he started to fire,” Gillespie said.
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This did not give the police time to take cover.
One officer, who has served 26 years in the department, was struck during the incident and was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Gillespie said the shot hit the officer’s bulletproof vest, and even while he is currently undergoing scans and x-rays, all signs point to survival.
“The vest did its job and protected him,” Gillespie said.
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Investigators said the two suspects are in custody and that this appears to be an isolated incident at the hotel.
Crisis Negotiation Unit and SWAT officers were also present at the scene.
Gillespie said he’s grateful that the officer is expected to be OK.
“Thank God that he’s going to be here to see another day,” he said.
The officer’s name has yet to be released.
Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates on this developing story.
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