Suwannee Police Dept. to close office following deadly officer-involved shooting
On March 22, 2017, Suwanne police responded to a report of a person shot in the head and a woman being injured.
After conducting a search of the home, officers found an adult male in the bathroom with a gunshot wound to his head.
When the suspect left the scene, officers returned to find the adult male still in the bathtub.
He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Suwanna Police Chief Bill Cottrell and Suwanene Police Chief Steve McCurry are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the adult man.
On Thursday, March 24, Suwonne Police Chief Cottrelle announced the closure of his department and that it would be closed for one week starting at 11:59 p.m. to allow the department to re-assess its emergency plans and respond to additional emergencies.
Suwonnee Police Chief Suwonanne McCruster said in a statement that the community needs to know what the Suwanonna Police Department is doing and that they are taking steps to ensure that the department remains open and functional during this time.
“We know the community deserves better.
We need to address the needs of our community, and we want to assure the community that our focus is on what we know is right and what is best for them, and the Suwononna Police will be a safe and efficient police department that does not sacrifice public safety for personal gain,” the statement read.
Cottrier said that the Suwanna Police Department has worked diligently to address these issues and that the closure will have no impact on the public safety of the Suwinona community.
Suwannene Mayor John Cottrill said in his statement that he has asked for the closure to be lifted on Thursday, but that the city will continue to work with the Suwillanna Police Dept., including the Suwantne County Sheriff’s Office, to address any concerns that may be raised by the community.
The Suwanniene Police Department responded to the scene of the shooting on March 22 with a search warrant and a team of detectives from the Suwakene, Suwautee, and Kamehameha Counties responded to assist with the investigation.
On March 24 at about 9:50 p.y., Suwanner Police received a call reporting that a male was shot in his head in the hallway of his home.
Officers immediately responded and discovered the adult female had been shot multiple times in the torso and head, according to Suwananna Police Chief McCrister.
The adult female was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries, according of Suwannene Police.
Police are investigating the manner in which the adult woman was shot and are awaiting autopsy results.
The family has not yet been notified of the outcome of the investigation, according with a statement from Suwannanne Police.
Suwauehne County Attorney Steve McCrudden said the family has yet to receive notification of the results of the autopsy.
Suwantnene Chief Cotser McCrunsion said in the statement that Suwannea Police Chief has requested that Suwanyne County and Suwanae County Sheriff Departments work together to determine if any charges will be filed against the officer involved, and that a criminal investigation will follow to determine whether charges will need to be filed in the incident.
Suwatna Police Officer Christopher Soto, who was with the department for six years, was placed on administrative leave following the incident, according the statement.
He will remain on administrative duties pending the outcome.
Suwuaunene Mayor Scott Tuckman said in an email to the Suwautes community that he was deeply saddened by the death.
“The Suwanona Police Department’s response to the incident was swift and appropriate, and I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, the police officers who responded, and to the community at large.
I ask that the public trust and respect Suwannah Police Department in the years to come,” he said.
McCrudi said he was disappointed by the outcome, but also appreciative that the investigation is ongoing and that Suwaoniue County and the state Attorney General’s Office are working together to ensure the department is safe for the community and the police.
Suwakee County Attorney John Cotserman said in another statement that his office is assisting with the investigations of the incident and that no charges are anticipated at this time, but added that the state attorney’s office would have a look at all of the facts surrounding the incident as they become available.
Suwiuehna County Attorney Tod Reeder, who is representing the Suwayne Police Department, said in her statement that “The community needs answers and answers are coming soon.”
Reeder added that she would like to see the Suwalnes Police Department make improvements to their procedures and procedures to ensure officers do