01-13-2007, 01:48 AM
LAKE PLACID — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper died Friday evening after being shot during a routine stop along U.S. 27 between Lake Placid and Sebring.
Nick Sottile died after being admitted to surgery, according to Cathy Albritton, director of marketing and public relations for Florida Hospital Lake Placid.
Sottile made a routine traffic stop on northbound U.S. 27 near Witmore Curve, south of U.S. 66, when one suspect fled the vehicle on foot. As Sottile chased the suspect on foot, the suspect turned and shot him, according to reports. The driver of the white Toyota Camry fled the scene in the car.
About 200 law enforcement officers from surrounding agencies descended on the scene of the shooting, searching for the suspects. Law Enforcement from Polk County poured into Highlands County to assist, hauling bicycles and ATVs.
The suspect on foot was described as a black or Hispanic male of small stature wearing a white tank top, shorts and a baseball cap.
The man in the car is described as a light-skinned Hispanic or white male and was driving a car with T2 in the license plate.
At press time, neither suspect had been apprehended.
Helicopters and planes searched the orange groves on either side of the highway in regular search patterns. Officers and canine units also searched on foot.
Grim-faced officers comforted one another at the scene, as crime scene investigators used metal detectors to search the ground for shell casings or other evidence around the patrol unit of the officer.
Traffic was backed up along U.S. 27 in both directions, with one lane open at the crime scene.
Nick Sottile died after being admitted to surgery, according to Cathy Albritton, director of marketing and public relations for Florida Hospital Lake Placid.
Sottile made a routine traffic stop on northbound U.S. 27 near Witmore Curve, south of U.S. 66, when one suspect fled the vehicle on foot. As Sottile chased the suspect on foot, the suspect turned and shot him, according to reports. The driver of the white Toyota Camry fled the scene in the car.
About 200 law enforcement officers from surrounding agencies descended on the scene of the shooting, searching for the suspects. Law Enforcement from Polk County poured into Highlands County to assist, hauling bicycles and ATVs.
The suspect on foot was described as a black or Hispanic male of small stature wearing a white tank top, shorts and a baseball cap.
The man in the car is described as a light-skinned Hispanic or white male and was driving a car with T2 in the license plate.
At press time, neither suspect had been apprehended.
Helicopters and planes searched the orange groves on either side of the highway in regular search patterns. Officers and canine units also searched on foot.
Grim-faced officers comforted one another at the scene, as crime scene investigators used metal detectors to search the ground for shell casings or other evidence around the patrol unit of the officer.
Traffic was backed up along U.S. 27 in both directions, with one lane open at the crime scene.