Suspect arrested for shooting Tallahassee Police officer enters not guilty plea

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - OCTOBER 3 UPDATE

John’Darious Wright, who was accused of shooting an officer on Sandpiper Street last month, entered a not guilty plea Monday. That’s according to recently filed court records.

Wright is facing the following charges: attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder, home invasion robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and obstruction of a search warrant.

Those charges come as a result of investigation that revealed that Wright was the suspect of an overnight home invasion that took place in the 2300 block of Sandpiper Street Sept. 25, leaving one officer shot.

Investigators later shared new details that confirmed that Wright was also the suspect to a home invasion that took place in the area of Cypress Point Road that same day before the Sandpiper Street incident, leaving one man shot and injured in his home.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCTV as we continue to learn more information.

INITIAL STORY

The Tallahassee Police Department has made an arrest in connection to a home invasion and shooting of an officer that happened in the 2300 block of Sandpiper Street on Monday.

According to TPD, John’Darious Wright, 25, is accused of shooting one round at the victims inside of a home on Sandpiper Street during the invasion. An officer was in the area responding to the call and saw what they described as a “suspicious vehicle” near the address of the call. The officer reported it and the license plate number to dispatch.

As that officer was arriving on the scene, a suspect was seen running from the scene, according to a press release from TPD. As the officer started chasing after the suspect, Wright allegedly left the house, started shooting at the officer, and ran from the scene. TPD says the officer was struck by a bullet and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The officer, who has not been identified, was taken into surgery and is expected to fully recover, according to TPD.

Monday afternoon the reported suspicious vehicle that was originally seen near Sandpiper Street was seen at the Baymont by Wyndham on North Monroe Street. Tallahassee Police Detectives, U.S. Marshals, and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene and detained Wright and another man for questioning.

TPD says through witness statements and evidence they collected from the scene on Sandpiper Street, they were able to identify Wright as the suspect who was seen running from the home and shooting at the officer. The other man who was detained at the scene was let go and has not been charged.

Wright is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder, home invasion robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and obstruction of a search warrant.

Watch TPD’s press conference from Monday:

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