2 Tampa, Fla., police officers fatally shot in traffic stop; couple sought in manhunt

2 Tampa officers killed in Florida shooting

TAMPA, Fla. — A second Tampa police officer has died following a shooting during a traffic stop.

Officials say 31-year-old officer David Curtis died at Tampa General Hospital. Officer Jeffrey Kocab, also 31, died earlier following the shooting early Tuesday.

A massive search is on for a man and woman who were driving a red Toyota Camry.

Police say Curtis pulled over the Camry because it didn’t have a visible tag. He called for backup because the male suspect had a misdemeanor warrant.

A few minutes later, police received a 911 call that the officers had been shot. Authorities found the officers lying on the ground. The male suspect is believed to be the shooter.

Kocab’s wife is nine-months pregnant. Curtis was a father of four.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Tampa police officer was killed and another seriously wounded in an early Tuesday shooting during a traffic stop that has prompted a massive manhunt for two suspects.

Officer David Curtis pulled over a red Toyota Camry around 2:15 a.m. because it didn’t have a visible tag. He called for back up after a background check revealed the male passenger in the car was wanted on a misdemeanor charge for writing a worthless check, Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

Six minutes after the traffic stop, a witness called to say Curtis and Officer Jeffrey Kocab had been shot. Authorities arrived to find them lying on the ground. Kocab, 31, died. Curtis, also 31, was on life support Tuesday, police said.

Helicopters, police dogs and dozens of officers searched for the passenger, who is believed to be the shooter. A female who was driving the car was also being sought, McElroy said.

“We know they are armed and extremely dangerous,” McElroy said. “We don’t know what else they’re capable of.”

A few dozen officers in bulletproof vests combed the area for evidence, digging through trash cans and knocking on doors. Police from several surrounding cities responded.

The shooting happened on a main road near Interstate 4, which stretches from Tampa, through Orlando and into Daytona Beach.

Authorities had IDs on both suspects, but weren’t sure if they were stolen.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and Mayor Pam Iorio announced Kocab’s death at a news conference at the hospital where the officers were taken. Dozens of somber officers filled the hospital.

“Our hearts are just breaking. It is so very tragic,” Iorio said.

Kocab was a 14-month veteran with the force. His wife is nine months pregnant, police said.

Curtis, a father of four boys, has nearly four years with the department, police said.

This is the region’s second incident of law enforcers being shot in less than a week. Two Polk County deputies were shot early Friday in Lakeland after stopping a man riding a bicycle. They are expected to recover.

Associated Press writer Kelli Kennedy contributed to this report in Miami.