Triple shooting led to crash that killed TPD officer, suspect arrested

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) - The Tallahassee Police Department says a triple shooting at a home on Saplin Court led to the crash in which an officer died Wednesday morning.

TPD identified 37-year-old Tyrone Cleveland as the suspect. He shot three of his family members at his home in the 4200 block of Saplin Court, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the shooting around 12:27 a.m., according to Sheriff Walt McNeil.

The suspect fled the scene in his car, and an LCSO deputy and a TPD officer encountered the suspect vehicle at the intersection of North Monroe Street and Capital Circle NW at around 1:30 a.m., according to TPD Deputy Chief Jason Laursen.

The suspect ultimately turned around and drove into oncoming traffic, crashing directly into the TPD officer’s car near the corner of Capital Circle NW and Northwest Passage, Laursen said.

The officer was taken to a hospital in the area, where he later died from his injuries, according to the department. A joint press release from TPD and LCSO says two of the shooting victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the third victim is in stable condition.

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The release says the suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to the hospital. Cleveland is facing “numerous charges,” law enforcement said.

He has now been released from the hospital and booked into the Leon County Jail.

Cleveland will make his first appearance before a judge at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Court records show he is facing three counts of homicide, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Detailed arrest reports and affidavits have not yet been filed.

Grief counselors are assisting members of TPD and LCSO and the fallen officer’s family asks for privacy at this time. TPD is not releasing the officer’s identity at this time.

The Big Bend chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association issued the following statement on the officer’s death:

“Every day, Tallahassee police officers sacrifice their personal safety as they work courageously to respond to dangerous situations where public safety is threatened. That is exactly what one of our police officers did in the early morning hours when he aided in the pursuit of a perpetrator, who was fleeing from law enforcement after having just shot three family members. As the deputy attempted to engage the fleeing perpetrator, the suspect used his vehicle to crash into our officer’s vehicle, killing him almost instantly. Our officer was just 34 years old and had been on the Tallahassee police force for four years, after having served at the Wilton Manors Police Department in Broward County. This tragic loss is a painful reminder that law enforcement officers are often victims of violent criminal acts and they put their lives at risk on a daily basis to serve and protect others. Our officers appreciate the support of the City of Tallahassee and the community during this extraordinarily painful time. All of us at the PBA extend our deepest condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and fellow officers. We will do all that we can to support them during this painful time.”

The Tallahassee Police Department is trying to come to terms with the unthinkable after the sudden loss of one of their own.

“We truly lost a hero today and I’m asking every citizen of Tallahassee to take a second and we all need to reflect on the law enforcement community,” shared Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey.

The loss is serving as a lasting reminder of how precious life is.

“I think it’s just a reminder to the community that you know we are human beings too and we’re mourning a loss also,” said Big Bend Police Benevolent Association’s Richard Murphey.

A moment of silence was held at the Tallahassee commission meeting Wednesday as they mourned the fallen officer.

“It’s a very somber time in our community and it reminds us of the fact that we are human doing the very best job that we can,” said Tallahassee City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox.

A solemn reminder of the sacrifice our public servants make each day.

Flowers have been placed on top of a TPD vehicle in front of their headquarters to serve as a memorial.

Below, you’ll find press conferences law enforcement held Wednesday morning.

Stay with WCTV as we provide more updates to this breaking news story.

You can read our earlier updates below.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) - A Tallahassee police officer who died in the line of duty was rammed by a suspect’s car early Wednesday morning, TPD Deputy Chief Jason Laursen said in a briefing outside police headquarters.

TPD is not releasing the officer’s name at this time and is asking for privacy for his family.

Deputy Chief Laursen said at about 1:30 a.m., the officer spotted the car at the intersection of Capital Circle NW and North Monroe Street.

The suspect ultimately turned around and drove into oncoming traffic, Laursen said, crashing directly into the officer’s car near the corner of Capital Circle NW and Northwest Passage.

The officer died at the hospital.

”We truly lost a hero today,” Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said.

He asked citizens to take a moment to reflect on the officer’s death and the job officers do each day.

“Some of them make the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

The suspect survived the crash. He is hospitalized and will be facing numerous charges. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil says it all started when deputies were called to a home on Saplin Court at about 12:30 a.m.

The suspect had shot three family members and fled, Sheriff McNeil said. One family member is hospitalized in stable condition and the two others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Sheriff McNeil said.

See below for previous updates.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Tallahassee Police Department is mourning the loss of an officer.

During a press conference early Wednesday morning, TPD confirmed an officer was killed just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the intersection of Capital Circle Northwest and Northwest Passage Boulevard.

Two vehicles were observed at the scene, one police cruiser and another vehicle. No details have been released yet on any additional people involved in the crash,

The officer’s name has not been released. TPD said it is working with the family, and asked for thoughts and prayers following the loss.

The agency said it is offering counseling and support services to officers and staff.

Officials said no further details are available at this time.

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