Suspect and Officers Killed in Shootout

By Sarah Harper

Published on May 01, 2009

Two police officers and one domestic violence suspect were shot and killed Saturday in a shootout in Okaloosa County, Florida, in Crestview. The suspect shot and killed the officers, fled the scene, and was shot by police.

Joshua Cartwright, 28, had reportedly been involved in a domestic violence incident Saturday afternoon. Deputies Burt Lopez and Warren York responded to the domestic violence call. The officers exchanged gunshots with Cartwright at the Shoal River Gun Club. Authorities airlifted Lopez and York to a hospital in Pensacola, about 50 miles away. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital.

After the shooting, Cartwright fled in his car to a neighboring county. Police pursued. At the end of the chase, Cartwright flipped the car, exited, and began shooting at police. Police returned fire and shot and killed Cartwright.

According to a County Sheriff's office spokesperson, this was not Cartwright's first run-in with the law.

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