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Two Florida Police Officers Shot And Killed At Chinese Restaurant

(SHUTTERSTOCK: By ChiccoDodiFC)

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A gunman shot through the window of a Chinese restaurant in Gilchrist County, Florida, and killed two police officers before taking his own life, Action News Jacksonville reports.

The officers had been eating at the Ace China restaurant Thursday.

When deputies arrived at the scene, Sgt. Noel Ramirez, 30, and Deputy Taylor Lindsay, 25, had both died from their wounds.

President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two officers Thursday, calling them “HEROES.”

The criminal investigation with no motive remains active.

In a press conference Thursday, Sheriff Bobby Shultz said, “We’re not going to make this a political issue, except…what do you think happens when you demonize law enforcement to the extent that it’s been demonized?”

“The only thing these men were guilty of was wanting to protect you and me,” he continued. “They just wanted to go get something to eat. They just wanted to do their jobs.”

Schlutz went on to explain that when police officers make the commitment to enforce the law, “when they put on the badge — when they strap on the gun,” they are aware that these kinds of criminal acts against police officers “could happen.”

Sgt. Ramirez was a seven-year veteran of the department, a husband and father; Deputy Lindsay was a new officer and had a girlfriend. “They were men of integrity, men of loyalty,” Schultz said. “They’re God-fearing and they loved what they did. They gave their lives so that we can all be safe.”

“We will honor these men by doing our jobs; by doing what we’re supposed to do. Being a law enforcement officer is a calling.”