Shootings kill sheriff's wife, deputy, 2 suspects

**Hannibal** · 01-31-07, 07:25 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/she...rss_topstories

• Authorities call shooting at sheriff's home a targeted hit
• Deputy responds to call and is slain
• Two suspects killed in exchange of gunfire

MARIANNA, Florida (CNN) -- In what authorities are calling a targeted killing, the wife of a Florida Panhandle sheriff, a deputy and two suspects died in an exchange of gunfire outside the sheriff's house Tuesday evening, an official with the State Attorney's Office said.

According to Joe Grammer, before any shots were fired, Mellie McDaniel, wife of Sheriff John McDaniel, called the sheriff's office, saying the suspects were behind her as she headed home.

A precise timeline of events was not available, but at least one deputy was dispatched to the scene and later died. Mellie McDaniel was shot and died en route to a hospital, according to Grammer.

Steve Meadows of the State Attorney's Office said two suspects were pronounced dead at Jackson Hospital in Marianna, Florida.

The sheriff was at the residence at the time of the shooting and was not injured, Meadows said, but would not discuss the sheriff's role in events.

Authorities do not think the incident was a random act.

"We believe that the sheriff's home was selected and targeted," Meadows said, without disclosing a possible motive.

More than 100 law enforcement officers searched the area around the sheriff's home as a precautionary measure, but Meadows said there's no reason to believe that there are other suspects.

"The community should not be concerned that this is some random case," he said.

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RIP

**OFK** · 01-31-07, 08:40 AM

This is devastating. Prayers for the victims and families.

**Piggybank Cop** · 01-31-07, 08:52 AM

"The community should not be concerned that this is some random case," he said.

What the hell?

The community should be concerned as hell if this wasn't a random act.

**OFK** · 01-31-07, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by 1sgkelly

"The community should not be concerned that this is some random case," he said.

What the hell?

The community should be concerned as hell if this wasn't a random act.

I think that that quote was done wrong. Some people just cannot do public speak, and some people cannot get the quote right. He probably meant that this was not a random case, and no concerns, but hey who am I to say. maybe he meant to say "This is not a random case the community should not be concerned about" meant that they should not be concerned because there were specific targets? Who the hell knows..It was poorly worded and they should rescind and clarify..