Detectives Randy Bell, 44, and Rick Childers, 46, had a homicide suspect in the death of a four year old child in custody transporting him to police headquarters. The suspect freed himself from the handcuffs and armed himself. He shot both detectives and made his escape by commandeering another motorist's truck. Both detectives died at the scene.
During his getaway, the suspect shot and killed a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper who attempted to stop him as he fled north on I-75. Wounded and with the tires of his getaway truck blown out, the suspect barreled to a stop at a convenience store. He ran inside firing several shots and took the clerk hostage. After a stand-off lasting several hours, the suspect freed the hostage and committed suicide as SWAT team members assaulted the store.
Detectives Bell and Childers were both highly decorated veteran officers. Bell had been with the department since 1977 and Childers since 1979.