ORLANDO, Fla. — A man who engaged police officers in a shootout in Parramore is on the run, Orlando police Chief Eric Smith said.
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Smith held a 1:30 a.m. news conference Wednesday, detailing the series of events he said unfolded late Tuesday night.
He said police were flagged down around 11:10 p.m. at Carter Street and Parramore Avenue by a citizen who said they were robbed by a man with a gun.
Smith said the citizen gave police a description of the suspect and officers located a man matching that description nearby, at Conley Street and Short Avenue.
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The man fired multiple rounds at officers, who then returned fire, according to Smith.
Police said the suspect dropped his handgun on the road and fled the scene.
Smith said officers conducted an extensive search for the suspect but they were not able to find him.
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Smith described the suspect as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, slender with an athletic build, last seen wearing blue jeans, a grey shirt, and a dark hat.
No officers were injured during the incident, Smith said.
The chief said it is not clear if the suspect was shot, but investigators did not find any blood at the scene of the shootout.
The Orlando Police Department is asking the public to call 911 if they see the suspect and to not approach him.
Watch below: Chief Eric Smith holds a news conference early Wednesday:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an investigation, as is standard procedure with officer-involved shootings.
Channel 9 will have team coverage on the search for the robbery and shooting suspect beginning at 4:30 a.m.
Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
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