UPDATE: 3:55 PM SATURDAY: Kissimmee Police Sgt. Sam Howard, who was clinging to life after getting shot Friday night, has died. Howard was a 10-year veteran of the force. He and his partner were gunned down Friday night during aapparent ambush-style shootings. His partner Matthew Baxter died Friday night. Howard had been on life support following the shootings.
By press time at 3 am EST on Saturday, the brutal tally of one night of deadly chaos read like a three-month-long log of violence: One police officer dead, one officer clinging to life, two officers in critical condition and two officers in stable condition.
And all that mayhem unfolded in two hours on Friday night.
Trouble started in western Pennsylvania when two state troopers were shot, then reports soon after emerged of two police officers in Kissimmee, FL were ambushed. One officer, Matthew Baxter, died. His partner at 3:11 am was reportedly on life support in a Florida hospital ICU. Then later Friday night, two sheriff deputies in Jacksonville, FL were also shot after trading bullets with at least one rifle-wielding gunman.
Instead of rehashing details of the entire night, we will let our Tweets tell you how the night unfolded.
Our grieving hearts become even heavier with the terrible news of Sgt. Sam Howard's passing. (1/2)
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) August 19, 2017
6 cops gunned down tonight. MSM busy stoking racial unrest. Won't hold breath for candle vigils. Cops get no respect by MSM. Embarrassment.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Kissimmee Police Chief Confirms our reporting that this appears to have been an ambush. https://t.co/RrOc9YnjFu
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Officer Howard and Officer Baxter were shot when they responded to a call. Chief O'Dell: Looks as though it may have been an ambush. pic.twitter.com/EOIx3N3asB
— Kissimmee Police (@kissimmeepolice) August 19, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with the @KissimmeePolice and their loved ones. We are with you!#LESM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
This is why we don't release the names of officers before all the dust settles. Can you imaging the family getting calls? MSM needs to learn https://t.co/4xqk1ndigB
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Police chief in Kissimmee FL says one cop has died the other is "grave condition."
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Two #JSO police officers shot: One officer shot is in critical condition, one officer shot is in stable condition.
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/LivePDuk/status/898764278777298944
SWAT team just kicked a door down in Kissimmee, looking for more cop killers.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
6 cops gunned down tonight. MSM busy blowing their pay checks on cheap liquor. Cops get no respect by media. It's an embarrassment.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
PA State Trooper med-flighted to hospital after being shot is out of stomach surgery and alert. Presser in am.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
6 cops shot tonight. WTF is going on here? Night not over yet either.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Prelim reports from ground in Kissimmee: Cops responded to shots fired & were ambushed by two suspects. This is unverified but well sourced.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
BREAKING: Two Jacksonville FL Sheriff's Officers shot.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
I've been given IDs of two police killed in Florida. Both men. Will not be releasing. This is time for their families, NOT the media.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Possible suspect(s) at large after the shooting of 2 police officers in Kissimmee FL.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Other PA State Trooper was shot in hand. Stable. The suspect is dead.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
You can feel it in your gut as soon as you start seeing diff signs between the routine police scuffles and the tragedies. Prayers for all. https://t.co/0QyWJ3f73l
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
One of the PA State Troopers was transported via helo to Pittsburgh, suffered abdominal wounds from gun shot(s). In surgery now. Bad shape.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Viewer sent me this cell phone video of Kissimmee scene after 2 officers were shot @WFTV @TRussellWFTV @GWarmothWFTV @MarthaSugalski pic.twitter.com/2bqHKODucg
— Samantha Manning (@SamanthaWFTV) August 19, 2017
Reports of two police officers in Kissimmee, FL shot as well tonight.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
Two PA Troopers shot and one dead suspect south of Pittsburgh, PA. Story developing.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017
We are hearing a PA State Trooper has been seriously wounded after a shooting in Fayete County, PA near Pittsburgh.
— Thomas Paine (@Thomas1774Paine) August 19, 2017