There were multiple attacks on police officers across the country this weekend, including in Sanibel Island, near Fort Myers. 

  • Sanibel Island police officer shot; suspect in custody
  • Sanibel police say Officer Jarred Ciccone was shot in the shoulder during a traffic stop
  • Police officer shot and killed this weekend in San Antonio, another officer in St. Louis in critical condition after shooting

A suspect was taken into custody early Monday after police said he shot a Sanibel Island police officer in the shoulder Sunday night. 

Police said Officer Jarred Ciccone was shot in the shoulder during a traffic stop, and was treated for his injuries and released. Ciccone was wounded by a drive-by shooter that drove off. 

The suspect was later taken into custody after police said he exchanged gunfire with them. Officials have not released information on the suspect.

Also this weekend, a police officer was fatally shot in San Antonio and another in St. Louis was shot in the face but is expected to survive, in what authorities are calling the latest in a series of target attacks on law enforcement.

The San Antonio detective was writing out a traffic ticket when he was shot to death in his squad car late Sunday morning outside police headquarters by another driver who pulled up from behind, authorities said.

San Antonio police Chief William McManus identified the officer as Benjamin Marconi, 50, a 20-year veteran of the force.

Police said the search for a male suspect was still underway early Monday and that no arrest has been made. McManus said he doesn't believe the suspect has any relationship to the original motorist who was pulled over, and that no motive has been identified.

The St. Louis police sergeant was hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot twice as he sat in traffic in a marked police vehicle about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Police reported early Monday that the suspect, who was wanted for other violent crimes, was later killed in a shootout with police.

An officer with the Gladstone, Missouri, police department near Kansas City was shot, while the suspect was shot and killed. It wasn't clear whether the incidents were targeted attacks.

Marco Rubio released a statement on the Sanible Island shooting saying, "This attempted assassination of a police officer is despicable, and I am so grateful Officer Ciccone will fully recover from his injury. He and his family are in our prayers, as are the many other valiant men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day working to keep our communities safe.” 

Florida State FOP President Bobby Jenkins also issued a letter to the FOP leadership across the state, requesting that they work with their local departments to implement safeguards for officers during this time. The full letter reads: 

Dear Local Lodge Presidents,

Over the last 24 hours, three police officers in three different states have been targeted and shot in ambush attacks, resulting in a fatality and two injuries. Included among them, is a member of our Florida FOP Lodge #33 in Sanibel, Florida. 

This hits too close to home. While we mourn the brave men and women that have been taken from us far too soon because they wear the badge, we must also take a stand to protect our officers and minimize these growing risks that they are facing daily. It is our duty as union leaders to do as much as we possibly can to keep them safe.

For this reason, we are asking that all local lodge presidents consider urging their administrations to implement two-man units where a cover officer is present at all times. Due to the fact that the number of attacks on officers in the line of duty continues to spike across the nation, we see no signs of these cowardly assaults subsiding anytime soon.

Rather than be on the defensive, we need to pivot to a proactive approach and take preventive measures so that our officers and their families can rest assured that they will make it home each and every day.  

Thank you for your attention in this matter. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns. 

Bobby Jenkins

Florida State FOP, President

 

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.