PORT ORANGE, Fla. — A police pursuit Saturday morning ended in gunfire on Interstate 95, leaving a South Daytona police officer and the suspect injured, according to authorities.
Port Orange Police officers initially responded to a reported shooting in the area of Country Lane. During the investigation, officers identified a suspect and located him, but the man fled the area in a vehicle, leading to a pursuit.
Officers from the South Daytona Police Department joined the chase to assist.
The pursuit came to an end when the suspect’s vehicle crashed on Interstate 95. After the crash, police say the suspect opened fire on pursuing officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire.
During the gunfire, South Daytona Police Officer Fessenden was struck twice. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Todd Martin of Port Orange, was also shot.
Both were transported to a local hospital. Authorities said Officer Fessenden is in stable condition and awaiting surgery.
Police say the suspect sustained additional severe burns after barricading himself inside a patrol vehicle that later caught fire. Martin remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Officials also stated that no one was injured in the initial shooting that prompted the police response, and investigators have not yet confirmed a connection between the suspected shooter and the earlier victim.
Traffic in the area around Beville Road, Interstate 4, and Interstate 95 experienced heavy congestion while officers investigated the incident.
In a statement, the Port Orange Police Department thanked the injured officer for his actions during the incident.
“We would like to take this time and thank Officer Fessenden for his commitment to our communities and sacrifice made in apprehending an armed and dangerous suspect. We wish him well on his road to recovery.”
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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