Longwood officer wounds suicidal man at Circle K parking lot

A Longwood police officer shot and wounded a man Tuesday night at the Circle K on State Road 434 near Rangeline Road after the man told officers he was suicidal and claimed to be armed, police said.

Officers were called to the convenience store around 9:10 p.m. The first officer to arrive attempted to de-escalate by talking with the man, but the person did not comply and concealed his hands while claiming he had a gun. Police said the man “suddenly pulled his hands from the inside of his waistband in a hostile manner,” and the officer opened fire, striking him.

Police did not specify the exact location of the shooting, though evidence markers were visible in the store parking lot. The wounded man was taken to a hospital for surgery and was reported in stable condition. News outlets asked the Longwood Police Department whether the man had a weapon; the department responded, “We did not locate a weapon.”

No officers were injured. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an independent investigation of the shooting, and authorities have released no additional details.

For residents of Seminole County, the incident highlights two immediate concerns: public safety near a busy SR 434 intersection and how law enforcement responds to calls involving mental health crises. The Circle K at Rangeline and State Road 434 sits on a well-traveled corridor between Longwood and neighboring communities, and late-night shoppers and commuters often use that stretch. Witnesses or nearby businesses may have seen activity and emergency vehicles in the area during the response.

The involvement of the FDLE means an outside agency will review the circumstances, which can provide independent findings about whether the officer’s actions complied with legal and departmental standards. That review process typically informs any subsequent administrative or criminal decisions and shapes public updates from local agencies.

The episode also underscores the broader challenge facing local first responders: balancing officer safety, public protection, and the need for mental health interventions on routine calls. Longwood residents concerned about neighborhood safety or about law enforcement conduct can expect periodic updates as investigators release findings and as the Longwood Police Department responds to questions.

What comes next for the community is clarity. The FDLE investigation will determine the facts that led to the shooting, and the Longwood Police Department may brief the public when more information is available. In the meantime, drivers and shoppers near State Road 434 and Rangeline Road should be aware that the investigation could lead to temporary traffic impacts or increased patrols as officials follow up.