2 Florida Deputies Shot, Killed While Eating At Restaurant

TRENTON, FL — Two Florida deputies dining at a restaurant while on duty were killed after a person walked up to the restaurant in Gilchrist County and shot at them through a window, authorities said. The deputies were not responding to a crime in progress or a disturbance at the location when the shooting happened.

Deputies responding to the scene found the shooter dead outside the Ace Chinese restaurant in downtown Trenton. According to the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, the shooting happened around 3 p.m. Thursday.

The slain law enforcement officers were identified as Sergeant Noel Ramirez and Deputy Sheriff Taylor Lindsey. Ramirez, 29, was a seven-year law enforcement veteran who joined the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office in 2016. He leaves behind a wife and two young children. Lindsey, 25, served with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office for over three years in total. Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz said Lindsey was not married but he had a girlfriend.

At an evening news conference, Schultz said the two men were "men of integrity," and "men of loyalty." He added that they were both God fearing men and the "best of the best."

"I'm honored that I get to work with men and women just like those two individuals," Schultz said. He added that he had spoken with the families and told them they could be proud of these men.

"I don't have answers to why this happened," Schultz said.

Schultz said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would continue its investigation. In a statement issued after the press conference, the sheriff's office said the two deputies simply sat down to eat while on duty when the suspect appears to have walked up to the front of the restaurant and shot at them without warning.

Authorities identified the shooter as John Hubert Highnote, 59, of Bell, Florida. Asked at the news conference whether the two deputies were known to the shooter, Schultz said the investigation was ongoing.

“My heart breaks with the tragic news of two Gilchrist County deputies that were senselessly killed today while in the line of duty," Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "The daily risk that law enforcement officers take to protect our communities is overwhelming. My deepest condolences and prayers are with their families as they mourn the devastating loss of their loved ones. May their families, friends and fellow officers find peace and comfort during this very difficult time.”

Trenton is located in North Florida, 45 miles west of Gainesville.

Photos via Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office