Authorities are trying to determine why a Lake Wales man with close ties to law enforcement would lure law enforcement officers to his home and open fire on them.
Two Lake Wales police officers are recovering and 59-year-old John Goepferich will face attempted murder charges, among others.
According to Lake Wales Police Chief Chris Velasquez, shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Goepferich, who lives at 743 Hillside Ave. in Lake Wales, called 911 and reported shots coming from his residence, saying he needed the police.
When officers arrived at the scene, police said Goepferich began shooting at them. The officers returned fire and a gunfight ensued. Additional officers and deputies responded to the scene.
During this gun battle, Velasquez said two officers, 45-year-old K-9 handler John Schwarze and 38-year-old Benjamin Metz, were shot. The officers and Goepferich, who also was wounded, were transported to an area hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
An investigation determined Goepferich has two adult children who work in law enforcement with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said one of Goepferich's son is a deputy and the other works in the Sheriff's Office's IT department.
"Whatever his reasoning, it’s not sufficient," Judd said of Goepferich. "He tried to murder two police officers, three police officers, seven police officers. Everyone he could shoot at."
Goepferich will be booked into jail after he is released by the hospital. It’s likely he will stay locked up facing at the very least two counts of attempted murder.
Meanwhile, the officers involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave.