The suspect in an early morning stabbing at the University of Florida has been shot and killed after he reportedly threatened a police officer with a hatchet.Shortly after 10 a.m., a Gainesville Police Department officer approached 28-year-old Gainesville resident Michael Cravey in the parking lot of a Best Buy store, according to a press release posted to the Gainesville Police Department's Facebook page.
The officer identified himself and commanded Cravey to drop a hatchet he was holding. Cravey instead came towards the officer with the hatchet, after which the officer fired multiple shots, hitting Cravey multiple times.
Cravey was transported to UF Health where he later died of his wounds.
The GPD officer was not injured. His identity was not immediately released, but he is described as "a ranking, veteran officer with the agency" in the release.
Police are seeking a possible witness to the shooting that was near the scene who was driving an older box-style sedan. Officials say this person is urged to contact GPD detectives at (352) 393-7670.
ORIGINAL STORY (10 AM) PUBLISHED BELOW
Police are investigating a stabbing on the University of Florida campus that sent a UF staff member to the hospital this morning and led police on a car chase.
According to the Gainesville Sun, a white man approached a staff member and his wife in the parking lot behind Leigh Hall around 7 a.m. and, after a brief discussion, stabbed the staff member.
Police immediately began chasing the man, who fled west in a black Jeep on westbound on Newberry Road, but discontinued the pursuit due to the suspect's reckless driving.
UFPD is working with other local agencies to find the suspect. Anyone with information can call UFPD at (352) 392-1111.
You can follow Patrick Donges on Twitter @patrickhdonges.
