Florida Man Shoots At Police Officer, Takes Four Children Hostage

An Orlando police officer was shot while responding to a domestic violence call late Sunday night. The man who opened fire then barricaded himself inside the house and took four children, who are ages 1, 7, 10 and 12 years-old, as hostages. 

A SWAT team is on sight trying to negotiate a peaceful ending to the stand-off. 

"Our main concern right now is the safety of the children in that apartment,” Orlando Police Chief John Mina told reporters. “Hopefully he peacefully surrenders.”

Police said that a woman left the house and called 911 after she was assaulted by the man inside the home. When police arrived the woman met with officers outside. As the officers attempted to arrest the man inside he opened fire, striking the officer. Police returned fire, but are unsure if they struck the suspect. 

The officer who was shot was rushed to the hospital and underwent successful surgery for his injuries.

“It is a very serious, significant injury," Mina said at a news conference Monday. “He is expected to survive."