Orlando police Chief Eric Smith delivered an update after a Friday night shooting in downtown Orlando left two officers critically injured.Those two Orlando police officers are at Orlando Heath. They are expected to fully recover. Smith gave an update on the two officers Sunday while speaking on "Fox and Friends.""They're doing better. They're in good spirits," Smith said during the interview. Smith said the two officers still have a long recovery road ahead. The department thanked the community for their support. "Our officers remain in the hospital. We want to thank the community for the outpour of support. We will provide updates as they become available," the Orlando Police Department said on Facebook. The suspected shooter was killed in a gunfight early Saturday morning by SWAT team members.It began at 6 a.m. when officers evacuated a Holiday Inn on Caravan Court, where the suspect, 28-year-old Daton Viel, barricaded himself in a room.He refused to come out, and it escalated.A video from a guest at the Holiday Inn in Orlando showed the moment dozens of guests were forced to evacuate the hotel as SWAT officers flooded the building looking for Viel."At 8:58, the suspect shot at our SWAT officers multiple times. SWAT officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect is now deceased," Smith said.The officers who were injured were shot at 11 p.m. Friday night when they were investigating a car connected to a Miami homicide case driven by Viel.According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, on July 10 at 1:40 p.m., a man, Michael Williams, was killed in a shooting.Surveillance footage helped Miami-Dade police identify a vehicle connected to the homicide.That vehicle was found in Orlando Friday night, and that's when Orlando officers investigated.Police say Viel allegedly opened fire on the Orlando officers – fleeing in a carjacked vehicle.Then a manhunt ensued Friday night. Initially, police were looking for two suspects – then just Viel. Smith explained Viel, who has an extensive criminal history, acted alone. He was the sole suspect.That hunt ended at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning."To those officers and their families who I had an opportunity to meet with earlier today, I want to thank them for their service and dedication to our city. They put their lives on the line every single day to keep our community safe," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.The chief assured no threat remains to the community.Officials say the two Orlando police officers who were shot are expected to make a full recovery."We stand ready at anytime, 24/7, just for an event such as this," an Orlando Regional Medical Center doctor said.The suspect, Viel, had been arrested earlier this year, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He bonded out in June."These officers are out here every day protecting our community. They put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. For some piece of crap to do this to them because they don't want to go back to jail is ridiculous," Smith said.Christian Frisby and his family were part of the crowd evacuated from the hotel on Saturday."It's unnerving. Because usually we come out here and we're just trying to have a good time. We're trying to spend time with our families, and everyone's kind of living for the same thing," Frisby said. "We're just trying to be peace, you know. So with people out there disrupting that piece in such a massive way is it's kind of horrible."“Our officers are lucky to be alive, and we ask you to pray for them,” Smith said.Related: Man accused of shooting 2 Orlando officers had previous run-ins with law enforcement, records showAccording to an affidavit, Viel had been placed on probation on Feb. 22 for allegedly trespassing on a construction site in Orange County. The affidavit says he later violated probation. On June 30, Viel was driving in the area of Gemini Boulevard and University Boulevard when UCF police detected a stolen license plate, the affidavit said.After dispatchers told UCF officers that Viel had a warrant for trespassing in Orange County, police tried to arrest him. Before officers could arrest him, the affidavit says Viel ran away.Though another officer tried to apprehend Viel, he got back into the vehicle and sped away, according to the affidavit.Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update on suspect after 2 officers shotOfficials show support for injured Orlando officersOn Saturday, several law enforcement agencies showed their support for the Orlando Police Department after two of the department's officers were shot Friday night. Orange County Sheriff's Office tweeted, “We are relieved to hear the two officers shot in the line of duty last night are expected to recover. We stand with our brothers and sisters at @OrlandoPolice and are so glad the shooter is no longer a threat to our community.” Gov. Ron DeSantis also showed support for Orlando police."Casey DeSantis and I are praying for the officers, their families and the entire Orlando Police (Department). Our brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect," DeSantis said on Twitter.Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also extended his sympathies to Orlando police, the two wounded officers and their families. "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," Dyer wrote on Twitter.Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update after 2 officers shotTop headlines: Police: Gunman who critically injured 2 Orlando officers has been shot, killed by SWAT team VIDEO: Sharks spotted swimming close to shore in Daytona Beach Missing Orlando man found dead in woods
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orlando police Chief Eric Smith delivered an update after a Friday night shooting in downtown Orlando left two officers critically injured.
Those two Orlando police officers are at Orlando Heath. They are expected to fully recover.
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Smith gave an update on the two officers Sunday while speaking on "Fox and Friends."
"They're doing better. They're in good spirits," Smith said during the interview.
Smith said the two officers still have a long recovery road ahead. The department thanked the community for their support.
"Our officers remain in the hospital. We want to thank the community for the outpour of support. We will provide updates as they become available," the Orlando Police Department said on Facebook.
The suspected shooter was killed in a gunfight early Saturday morning by SWAT team members.
It began at 6 a.m. when officers evacuated a Holiday Inn on Caravan Court, where the suspect, 28-year-old Daton Viel, barricaded himself in a room.
He refused to come out, and it escalated.
A video from a guest at the Holiday Inn in Orlando showed the moment dozens of guests were forced to evacuate the hotel as SWAT officers flooded the building looking for Viel.
"At 8:58, the suspect shot at our SWAT officers multiple times. SWAT officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect is now deceased," Smith said.
The officers who were injured were shot at 11 p.m. Friday night when they were investigating a car connected to a Miami homicide case driven by Viel.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, on July 10 at 1:40 p.m., a man, Michael Williams, was killed in a shooting.
Surveillance footage helped Miami-Dade police identify a vehicle connected to the homicide.
That vehicle was found in Orlando Friday night, and that's when Orlando officers investigated.
Police say Viel allegedly opened fire on the Orlando officers – fleeing in a carjacked vehicle.
Then a manhunt ensued Friday night.
Initially, police were looking for two suspects – then just Viel. Smith explained Viel, who has an extensive criminal history, acted alone. He was the sole suspect.
That hunt ended at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning.
"To those officers and their families who I had an opportunity to meet with earlier today, I want to thank them for their service and dedication to our city. They put their lives on the line every single day to keep our community safe," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
The chief assured no threat remains to the community.
Officials say the two Orlando police officers who were shot are expected to make a full recovery.
"We stand ready at anytime, 24/7, just for an event such as this," an Orlando Regional Medical Center doctor said.
The suspect, Viel, had been arrested earlier this year, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He bonded out in June.
"These officers are out here every day protecting our community. They put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. For some piece of crap to do this to them because they don't want to go back to jail is ridiculous," Smith said.
Christian Frisby and his family were part of the crowd evacuated from the hotel on Saturday.
"It's unnerving. Because usually we come out here and we're just trying to have a good time. We're trying to spend time with our families, and everyone's kind of living for the same thing," Frisby said. "We're just trying to be peace, you know. So with people out there disrupting that piece in such a massive way is it's kind of horrible."
“Our officers are lucky to be alive, and we ask you to pray for them,” Smith said.
Related: Man accused of shooting 2 Orlando officers had previous run-ins with law enforcement, records show
According to an affidavit, Viel had been placed on probation on Feb. 22 for allegedly trespassing on a construction site in Orange County. The affidavit says he later violated probation.
On June 30, Viel was driving in the area of Gemini Boulevard and University Boulevard when UCF police detected a stolen license plate, the affidavit said.
After dispatchers told UCF officers that Viel had a warrant for trespassing in Orange County, police tried to arrest him. Before officers could arrest him, the affidavit says Viel ran away.
Though another officer tried to apprehend Viel, he got back into the vehicle and sped away, according to the affidavit.
Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update on suspect after 2 officers shot
Officials show support for injured Orlando officers
On Saturday, several law enforcement agencies showed their support for the Orlando Police Department after two of the department's officers were shot Friday night.
Orange County Sheriff's Office tweeted, “We are relieved to hear the two officers shot in the line of duty last night are expected to recover. We stand with our brothers and sisters at @OrlandoPolice and are so glad the shooter is no longer a threat to our community.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis also showed support for Orlando police.
"Casey DeSantis and I are praying for the officers, their families and the entire Orlando Police (Department). Our brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect," DeSantis said on Twitter.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also extended his sympathies to Orlando police, the two wounded officers and their families.
"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," Dyer wrote on Twitter.
Full news conference below: Orlando police chief gives update after 2 officers shot
Top headlines:
- Police: Gunman who critically injured 2 Orlando officers has been shot, killed by SWAT team
- VIDEO: Sharks spotted swimming close to shore in Daytona Beach
- Missing Orlando man found dead in woods
