BSO detectives seek help from public after two marked vehicles struck by gunfire on I-95
FORT LAUDERDALE - Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony is speaking out after two BSO patrol cars were shot at late Wednesday night on I-95.
BSO said it happened at 11:38 p.m. on the highway near Sheridan Street, as the deputies were on their way home from a training exercise.
BSO released new photos showing both cars with cracked windshields, hit by bullets. Fortunately, the deputies were not injured.
"They heard loud noises and didn't realize their vehicles were struck by bullets," Tony said.
"This is something very alarming to me and while it is too early to speculate whether or not this was intentional we are going to treat this as an attempted shooting of officer. We are going to overturn every stone to make sure we get the suspects and have them in custody."
Tony said it is not known if this shooting was related to an earlier call for service related to a shooting on the highway. He said it was not clear how many rounds were fired and there is no description to release of any suspects.
"That is the nature of the risks we take. Not every today knows us or loves us," said Tony. "Who knows what triggered this and why someone would do this to the officers? We are sending a strong message that if you are out there firing weapons recklessly or for sport, this is a criminal act and we are going to take you to jail."
BSO is asking anyone who may have been near the area between 11:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. and who may have video to call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $5,000.
"I just wanted to say that this conveys the dangers that law enforcement in Broward County faces every day when they put on the uniform and go to work. It's the unforeseen situations that they walk into and have to deal with that causes them stress when they go through their daily business and people just don't see the dangers of the job," Rod Skirvin, the President of the Broward Police Benevolent Association, said.
"The deputies were very lucky to be unharmed, they could have been killed and we are very thankful they are OK."
"I think the location of where the shots were fired was a very deliberate attempt at the drivers of the cars and those who would be the deputies who are serving this county."
"Please, please help law enforcement in Broward County locate and punish the people responsible for doing this so we can get them off the streets of Broward County."