Four people, including a baby, were killed Sunday in a shooting in Polk County, western Florida, when a man who claimed to be "a survivor" fired at several homes, according to local authorities.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the suspect, who was detained after being injured in a clash with authorities, was dressed in camouflage clothing and a bulletproof vest.
The subject assured that he had gone for a "shooting".
The attack occurred early Sunday morning when the suspect, 33-year-old Bryan Riley, fired at several houses in a Lakeland city neighborhood, the Sheriff said.
Riley was a soldier in the US Marine Corps.
Bryan Riley, 33, suspect in four Florida homicides, Polk County Sheriff
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The shooting also resulted in a gunshot wound to an 11-year-old girl who is already being treated at the Tampa General Hospital, according to authorities.
The Sheriff's office received multiple calls about an armed attacker around 4:30 a.m. local time.
Sheriff's deputies, Lakeland police and
SWAT tactical teams responded to the shooting
that occurred near Fulton Greed Road in Lakeland.
"Officers were attacked as they approached a residence," Sheriff Judd explained.
The officer explained that
about 100
bullets
were
fired
between the suspect and the agents.
Riley, who surrendered after being shot, was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for treatment.
However, at the hospital, the man tried to take his gun from one of the officers who was guarding him.
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"This man killed four people this morning, tried to kill our agents and then surrendered," Judd said.
The Sheriff explained that there were two different shootings "in a short time", before the suspect surrendered.
The subject described himself as a "survivor" and confessed that he had used methamphetamine, according to authorities.
His girlfriend said that he had been diagnosed with PTSD and that he had acted erratically for the past week.
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Authorities still do not know why he decided to attack that particular home.
Apparently he did not know his victims or have any relationship with them.
"We just know that we had a crazy man with a lot of guns who killed innocent people
,
"
Judd said.
With information from EFE and CNN.
