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Two deputies killed in North Florida town of Trenton

Suspect is also dead
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TRENTON, Fla. — Two deputies in Trenton, Florida were killed in the line of duty on Thursday.

Around 3 p.m., two Gilchrist County Deputy Sheriffs were shot and killed in the Ace China restaurant in downtown Trenton, after a suspect walked up to the business and shot both deputies through the window.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, when fellow deputies responded to the scene, they found the shooter deceased outside the business and Sgt. Noel Ramirez, 30, and Deputy Taylor Lindsay, 25, deceased inside.

"At this point, it remains an active criminal investigation with no apparent motive or indications as to why this tragedy occurred," the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office wrote in a press release.

Officials from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the State Attorney’s Office have all responded to the area to assist.

Ace China restaurant is located on East Wade Street in Trenton, Florida, just off SR-26. Trenton is in Gilchrist County, approximately two hours north of Tampa Bay. 

 

 

Sgt. Ramirez, a 7 year veteran, leaves behind a wife and children.


Sgt. Noel Ramirez

Deputy Lindsay had been with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was not married but leaves behind his girlfriend, the sheriff's office said in a press conference Thursday.


Deputy Taylor Lindsay

"The world's full of cowards and the world's full of heroes, and we need to highlight those heroes and what they gave," said Sheriff Bobby Schults during the press conference. "We're going to grieve, we're going to get upset, were probably going to cus a little bit. But at the end of the day, we're going to remember those two men for what they are, and they're heroes."

"It is true evil for anyone to hurt a law enforcement officer, and in Florida, we have zero tolerance for violence, especially against the police," Florida Governor Rick Scott said in response to the shooting. "Tonight, I ask every Floridian to honor these law enforcement officers, their brothers and sisters in uniform and their families. May God bless those who work to keep our communities safe.”

Later in the evening, President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences. 

 

 

Several law enforcement agencies across Florida also began offering their condolences and support to the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Department.