2 Gainesville officers shot in 'ambush-style attack,' suspect dead, police say

2 Gainesville police officers wounded in ambush

Two Gainesville police officers were shot and wounded after being ambushed while responding to a report of a fatal shooting outside a lumber business along University Avenue, authorities said. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Two Gainesville Police officers were hurt in an officer-involved shooting after responding to a reported shooting Wednesday morning. 

What we know:

Two Gainesville Police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries in an incident that occurred in the area of Waldo Road and E. University Avenue around 8 a.m., Jan. 14. 

2 Gainesville officers shot in 'ambush-style attack'

Two Gainesville Police officers were hurt in an officer-involved shooting after responding to a reported shooting on Jan. 14. Gainesville Chief of Police Nelson Moya said officers responded to the scene of a reported shooting to find a suspect in a red car attempting to leave the area. The officers, in marked police cars, got behind the suspect's car – Moya said – when the suspect stopped his vehicle and started shooting at the officers. 

Gainesville Chief of Police Nelson Moya said officers responded to the scene of a reported shooting to find a suspect in a red car attempting to leave the area. The officers, in marked police cars, got behind the suspect's car – Moya said – when the suspect stopped his vehicle and started shooting at the officers. 

The suspect was later identified as Justin D. Long, 31. 

The Gainesville Police Department responded to two officers injured in the area of Waldo Rd. and E. University Ave.

In an "ambush-style attack," Moya said, a violent exchange of gunfire began. Long died on the scene. 

During an investigation, police searched a nearby lumberyard, where Long was seen entering before the shooting, Moya said. Officers found a person in the business dead with gunshot wounds, he said.  

The man who was found dead in the business was identified as Eduardo P. Rodriguez, 23.

It's believed Long parked in the 1300 block of East University Avenue, walked into the lumberyard, "engaged" with Rodriguez, Moya said, and returned to his car where he encountered police and later died.

The Gainesville Police Department, the police department's Forensic Crime Unit and Alachua County Fire Rescue were on the scene, Wednesday morning. The area was taped off. 

The Gainesville Police Department responded to two officers injured in the area of Waldo Rd. and E. University Ave.

Condition of the officers

The two officers injured in the shooting were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment. Moya reported that one officer was shot in the upper part of the body, and the second officer was shot in the lower part.

"They are recovering well," Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said. "… We're going to do everything we can to make sure we never experience this again." 

The officers were released from the hospital on Wednesday, the Alachua County Sheriff's office confirmed. 

The Gainesville Police Department responded to two officers injured in the area of Waldo Rd. and E. University Ave.

What we don't know:

It's not known what Long's motive was. It's not known if Long and Rodriguez knew each other. 

"We do know that there was clear intent," Moya said. 

What's next:

The Gainesville Police Department is continuing a homicide investigation after a person was found dead at a lumberyard business. 

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.