A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is in stable condition after a shooting near downtown Palatka that left one suspect dead and another at large.
According to FHP, the incident happened just before 12:45 a.m. Saturday near 2nd Street and Laurel Street in a local park.
Investigators say Trooper Lawrence Andrew Litzell was attempting to make a traffic stop when a brief foot pursuit ensued.
Litzell was shot in the face by one of the two suspects who fled the vehicle.
Litzell fired back, killing one of the suspects, identified as 24-year-old Somourian Jamal Wingo.
According to FHP, a .25 caliber semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene near the suspect.
The second suspect remains at large.
Trooper Litzell, an 11-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, was airlifted to UF Health of Gainesville and is in stable condition.
Per FHP policy, Litzell will be placed on paid administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the incident.
Anyone with information on the case or the identity of the remaining suspect is asked to call First Coast Crime-Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
WFTV
