ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Florida man Daton Viel, 28, was shot dead in a shootout after he fired ‘multiple times’ at SWAT officers. The incident took place in Orlando, Florida, on Friday night, August 4, after they stopped a vehicle said to be connected to a homicide case in Miami. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, during a press briefing, informed that the suspected gunman was killed outside a hotel on Saturday Morning, August 5. The suspect shot and hit both officers and managed to flee in another vehicle, as per authorities.
The officer added that after an ‘extensive search,’ police were able to nail down the suspect at a Holiday Inn at about 6 am on Saturday. They were able to safely evacuate the hotel and the suspect locked himself in a room. "Several attempts were made to get the suspect to safely surrender," Smith said.
What did Daton Viel do?
Daton Viel, 28, was involved in a shootout with the SWAT team after failing to surrender. He was cornered outside a hotel after hitting two Orlando officers after a traffic stop. The injured officers were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Fortunately as per Orlando Health officials on Saturday, they are expected to fully recover from their injuries, as per ABC News.
The officers, who were not immediately identified, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Hospital officials said on Saturday afternoon that the officers were expected to fully recover soon. “Both officers are with us. They are with their families. We have been taking care of them throughout the night,” Michael Cheatham, a surgeon at the hospital told the press. “We expect them to fully recover from their injuries sustained in the line of duty.”
"Our officers are lucky to be alive and we ask that you continue to pray for them," Smith said. He called the incident a tragedy for the department. "For some piece of crap to do this to them because they don't want to go back to prison, is ridiculous," Smith said. "We're not going to put up with it. We're going to stay out there fighting crime and keep our communities safe."
'Suspect is no longer a threat to our community'
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reacted to the shootout and lauded the law enforcement officers. “I’m grateful for the doctors and nurses providing the essential care that the injured officers need at this time. I also want to join Chief Smith in thanking the officers and our law enforcement partners who’ve ensured the suspect is no longer a threat to our community.”
