A Florida man with ties to law enforcement called 911 for help and opened fire on the officers when they arrived.
The Associated Press reported that authorities said John Goepferich, 59, called police for help saying that shots had been fired at his home around 6 p.m. Tuesday. However, upon arrival, he allegedly shot at the officers.
Lake Wales police Chief Chris Velasquez said that both Officer John Schwarze, 45, and Officer Benjamin Metz, 38, were wounded during the shooting. The officers returned fire and wounded Goepferich. Each of the men were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Bay 9 News noted that two of the suspect’s children actually work in law enforcement in Polk County, which makes the motive more puzzling.
"Whatever his reasoning, it’s not sufficient," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said.
"He tried to murder two police officers, three police officers, seven police officers. Everyone he could shoot at."
Around 50 officers had responded to the scene.
After he is released from the hospital, Goepferich will be escorted to jail and charged with attempted murder.