Just a day after the premeditated execution of two NYPD officers in New York by a deranged, suicidal psychopath, two more police officers have been shot in America today. In St.Louis, an off-duty officer was shot multiple times and remains in critical condition while in Tarpon Springs, Florida, 45-year-old officer Charles Kondek - a 17-year-veteran and father of 5 children - was shot and killed early Sunday morning.
Florida authorities say a police officer was shot and killed in Tarpon Springs early Sunday.
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The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that police have arrested 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr. on suspicion of first-degree murder.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department identified the fallen officer as 45-year-old Charles Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department. Originally from New York, Kondek had previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said.
Authorities say Kondek responded to a call for service shortly after 2 a.m. Police said the suspect shot at the officer and then fled the scene in a vehicle and crashed into a pole and another vehicle. He was then apprehended by police at that location.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Kondek was the father of five children.
As KSDK [6]further adds [6]reports:
An off-duty St. Louis police officer was shot multiple times Friday. It happened near the intersection of Breman Avenue and North 25th Street at approximately 3:55 p.m.
Captain Michael Sack says the victim, a 28-year-old man with four years experience with the department, is in critical stable condition with injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening. Capt. Sack says the officer was shot several times in his lower extremities.
"An off duty officer had been driving down this street in his personal vehicle when he came across an occupant or occupants in another vehicle," described Capt. Sack. "We don't know what transpired, but the occupant or occupants of that other vehicle opened fire at the officer."
The officer was in surgery Friday evening, so the department says it wouldn't be able to interview him until Saturday.
"He was struck a number of times," explained Capt. Sack. "He drove a short distance where someone else, then, took over and drove his vehicle. We think it was someone who was not inside the car with him at that time."
Captain Sack says the officer was armed at the time of the shooting, but it is unclear if he fired any shots.
Police are searching for a grey vehicle. There is currently no suspect description available.
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As Ian Fleming wrote, "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action." Let's just hope that America's SWATified police forces don't decide that the time for war against enemies domestic has finally come, because as we noted previously in "Across America, Police Departments Are Quietly Preparing For War [7]", they most certainly are ready:
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