A Titusville motel employee was found dead and a suspect is in critical condition after shooting himself in the head during a firefight with police on Wednesday.
Titusville Police Department officers responded to the Siesta Motel at 2006 South Washington Avenue in Titusville shortly before 11 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving calls regarding a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers found an adult, male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was pronounced deceased a short time thereafter.
A description of the suspect and his vehicle was obtained from a witness and within minutes, several officers spotted the suspect near his vehicle on Forest Road. When officers approached the suspect to detain him, he raised his handgun and fired, causing a TPD officer to discharge his firearm as well.
According to witnesses, the suspect then shot himself in the head. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
During their investigation, police discovered that the suspect, who has not been identified, was staying at a room at the Siesta Motel. At some point, the suspect walked up to the employee, who was sitting in a courtyard with a female employee, and shot him.
The suspect then turned his gun on the female employee and attempted to shoot her as well, but was unable due to it jamming. The female was able to run away and the suspect then fled in his vehicle.
The suspect is facing numerous felony charges and will be identified at a later time by authorities.