CUTLER BAY, Fla. -- A gunman armed with a high-powered weapon killed one Miami-Dade County police officer and injured three others Thursday and then fled the scene, causing a large manhunt that swept through a residential neighborhood, officials said.
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It happened in southwest Miami-Dade near an apartment complex on Southwest 143rd Court.
Miami-Dade police confirmed that three officers were shot and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Another officer was shot and died at the scene.
Det. Bobby Williams said one of the officers transported was a female. She was airlifted to the hospital and is undergoing surgery. Williams said the officer was "hurt pretty bad."
He did not give details on the conditions of the other officers.
Williams said all of the officers worked out of the Cutler Ridge district and were part of a crime suppression unit.
Massive Search Under Way
Police Cmdr. Linda O'Brien said the officers saw a white Honda Accord driving erratically and attempted to stop the driver.
O'Brien said the driver, identified as 30-year-old Kevin Wehner, came out of the vehicle firing a high-powered weapon.
"Anybody that knows him, has seen him, call Crime Stoppers, call 911. Do not go near him. He's considered armed and dangerous," O'Brien said.
Police are searching a residential area near 129th and Southwest 203rd Street in Cutler Ridge. Residents in that area are urged to stay in their homes.
NBC 6's Hetal Gandhi reported that a shopping plaza in the area was shut down. She said that officers were also stopping and searching vehicles, knocking on doors, and questioning people in the area.
Authorities said it was incomprehensible that four of their colleagues had been targeted.
"You say that it is not true," said Robert Parker, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "You doubt it for a second or two."
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez said numerous agencies were assisting in the search for the suspect.
"We need the community's assistance in trying to locate this extremely dangerous individual who's still on the loose," he said.
Schools Locked Down; Turnpike Closed
Seven schools are on lockdown because of the shooting -- Holy Rosary School, Rainbow Christian, Pines Villa Elementary, Mays Middle, Centennial Middle, Wigham Elementary and Coral Reef Montessori. Florida's Turnpike was closed at Hainlin Mill Drive (216th Street) but has since reopened.
NBC 6 News and NBC6.net will have more details as information becomes available
