Officer shoots at suspect after suspect opens fire

CASSELBERRY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Two men were loaded into ambulances in Casselberry on Saturday night, after police said their argument led to a shooting.

Sunday morning, police were still collecting evidence out on Griggs Avenue after the shooting that officers say happened after 9pm Saturday night, just outside Marie Williams’ door.

“Ooh, it sounded like a battlefield,” Williams recalled.

Police say when they arrived, they found the two men having an argument – and one of the men holding a gun. They told the man to put the gun down, but instead they say he shot at the police and the other man. Officers shot back.

“I was watching TV an all of a sudden I thought it was fireworks. I was like, wait a minute. So I got up and my daughter and grandson all got up and came out,” Williams said, “all of a sudden we see the cops everywhere. They were saying 'Get on the floor! Get on the floor!'”

Police said the shooter and the man he shot were both sent to ORMC for treatment. Neither of the officers was hit. 

A car stayed parked at the scene after the shooting. Bullet holes scarred the windshield and the roof. Bullets also riddled a house near the scene - fortunately, no one was home when it happened. Neighbors said they want their quiet community back.

“It’s pretty frightening,” said Bob Buckley, “it seems to be indicative of more violence happening in Orlando. I moved here 25 years ago from the Los Angeles area. I feel more like I’ve moved back to the Los Angeles area!”

“The neighbors were just talking the other day how quiet this street has become. It's a dead-end street, you know?” said Henry Levine, “it's just sad.”

UPDATE (04/29): The suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Joseph Hoffman, the victim has been identified as 27-year-old Jonathan Lewis, and the officers involved have been identified as Officer Zachary Price and Officer Thomas Graffy.