ST. CLOUD, Fla. — A man shot at an off-duty Orlando police officer after trying to kick in the front door of the officer’s home before the officer opened fire, shooting the man several times early Sunday, St. Cloud police said.
Police said the man did not know Orlando police Officer Julian Ortiz, but went to the party at Ortiz’s home with an invited guest.
Officers said the man was asked to leave the party. They said he returned at about 1:30 a.m. and tried to kick in Ortiz’s front door.
Ortiz told police the man shot at him when he went outside. Officers said Ortiz fired back, shooting the man multiple times.
Neither the officer, who is assigned to the agency’s Community Relations Division, nor anyone in the home was injured.
The man who was shot has not been identified and is in intensive care, officials said.
Police said charges are pending against the man who was shot and that Ortiz’s actions are under review.
A witness said she heard arguing, then saw a gunman in the middle of the street.
The witness said the man started firing toward people on a porch and someone from the house returned the fire.
Residents said there was a small party going on and they heard arguing and possibly fighting before the shooting.
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Ortiz has been with the Orlando Police Department since May 2017.
Per standard procedure, Ortiz has been relieved of law enforcement duties with pay, pending the outcome of the St. Cloud Police Department’s investigation.