Lake County deputy killed, 2 others hurt in 'ambush' inside Florida home, sheriff says

THE BRIEF

• A Lake County deputy was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call in Eustis
• 2 other Lake County deputies were shot trying to rescue their fallen deputy
• "They were ambushed" - Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell
• 2 people inside the home were found dead, and a third person was taken to the hospital.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Lake County Sheriff's deputy has died after he was shot and became trapped inside a home while responding to a disturbance call Friday night in Eustis, Florida. Two other deputies were also shot while attempting to rescue that deputy, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"They were ambushed," said Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell. "We lost one tonight."

Officials did not immediately release the deputies' names.

Two people inside the home were also found dead, he said, though it was not immediately clear if they were killed in a murder-suicide or killed by the responding deputies. A third person inside the home was transported to the hospital. That person's condition was not immediately known. 

Officials did not release their names either.

"Many agencies have come together for this," Grinnell said, mentioning the support from Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), FBI, and ATF.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting. FOX 35 reached out to FDLE early Saturday morning.

FOX 35 News crews were at both hospitals, where several law enforcement officers were seen embracing, hugging, and standing outside the hospital entrances. FOX 35 reached out to both hospitals, but spokespersons said they were unable to release info.

Timeline: Disturbance call led to shooting and 'ambush' of deputies

According to Sheriff Grinnell, deputies initially responded to a 911 call about a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive. However, during that call, those deputies were directed to another home not far away.

Deputies found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the residence. Upon entering the home, deputies were met with "a hail of gunfire," the sheriff said. One deputy was struck and trapped inside the home. (That deputy later died).

The sheriff explained that a rescue team was formed to retrieve the trapped deputy but encountered a barrage of gunfire, resulting in another deputy being hit.

The initial deputy struck in the shoulder is in stable condition, while the second deputy, hit in the groin and stomach, underwent surgery and is in critical condition. Tragically, a deputy died from injuries sustained in the shootout, Sheriff Grinnell said.

"February 2005 was the last time we lost a deputy sheriff in Lake County, so it's been a long time, thankfully, but tonight, here we are again," he said. "But the community outpour has been great."

What do we know about people found dead in the house?

Two people were found dead inside the home, and a third person was taken to the hospital, though their condition was unknown.  

Sheriff Grinnell said it was not immediately clear how the people inside the home died – whether they were killed due to a possible murder-suicide or killed by deputies returning fire. 

Details about the disturbance inside the house were also not immediately clear.

Sheriff Grinnell said there were several guns found inside the house. He also confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public, as all individuals involved are believed to be accounted for. 

Jim Ironhorse lives in the area and saw several law enforcement vehicles in the distance. In a Zoom interview, he told FOX 35 that he heard several gunshots and then saw law enforcement vehicles enter the area moments later.

"There were multiple gunshots coming from across the street. It started out with nine millimeters and then went full auto, which is not a usual thing out here. There's always gunfire out here. It's a very rural area, but at one point, it just didn't sound like there was an exchange of gunfire and then a lot of cops, probably 25 to 30, across the street," he said.

He said he also saw SWAT teams enter the area.

"There were two shots fired; I don't know what came of that, but that was right across the street," he said.

Reaction follows shooting of Lake County deputies

Response has been swift following the shooting of three deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Grinnell noted that representatives from other law enforcement agencies arrived in Eustis to assist on Friday.

"You know, when a law enforcement officer is shot, especially here in the state of Florida, you don't have to ask for help. They show up! Sheriff Woods from Marion County, FDLE, had the FBI here helping, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms – many, many agencies here."

Sheriff John Mina from neighboring Orange County posted on X, "Praying for our brothers and sisters at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.