In a shocking turn of events, a Fort Lauderdale police officer was shot during a surprise attack at a hotel on Thursday morning. The incident occurred after three officers responded to a distressing call from a guest at the Holiday Inn, claiming to have killed someone inside a hotel room.

According to Police Chief Bill Schultz, the responding officers made attempts to establish contact with the occupants of the room but were unsuccessful. As they entered the room, the door flew open and a suspect immediately opened fire. In the ensuing gun battle, one officer was shot and another sustained minor injuries.

The wounded officer was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital, where they received necessary medical treatment and were subsequently released. Fortunately, the third officer managed to escape unharmed.

A chilling 911 dispatch recording revealed the chaotic aftermath of the incident as law enforcement prepared for the possibility of an active shooter situation. Officers on the scene requested the evacuation of a nearby water treatment plant due to potential danger. The whereabouts of the suspect remained unknown at this time.

After law enforcement cleared the treatment plant, an officer reported that the suspect had been neutralized. Subsequently, SWAT teams discovered the lifeless body of the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Karl Chludinsky, in the hotel room. Chief Schultz confirmed that no other individuals were found inside the room and described the suspect as a local resident, rather than a visitor to the area.

The state Department of Law Enforcement will now lead the investigation into the incident. As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the three officers involved in the exchange of gunfire have been placed on administrative leave.

The area surrounding the intersection of 17th Street and 15th Avenue, where the Holiday Inn is situated, was cordoned off in all directions following the incident. Throughout the day, armored trucks and numerous police vehicles could be seen around the crime scene, ensuring the safety and security of the area.

Hotel guests were promptly evacuated from the building as law enforcement worked diligently to bring the situation under control. Witnesses reported that the shooting appeared to have originated on the pool deck, which is located above the hotel's parking garage.

As investigations continue, the authorities are looking into the motive behind the attack and any potential connections between the suspect and the hotel or its guests.