OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Okeechobee County said a man killed Sunday in a confrontation with deputies may be connected to a double homicide earlier in the day.
The sheriff's office said deputies arrived at a home in the Brindaban Forest Community at about 1:30 p.m. and were met by a man wearing all black clothing, armed with a rifle or long gun.
WATCH BELOW: Suspect in double homicide later killed by Okeechobee County deputies
The suspect allegedly fired shots at the deputies, prompting them to return fire.
"The person immediately started engaging our deputies, firing at our deputies," Chief Deputy Michael Hazellief with the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office said.
The suspect was hit, received immediate medical attention and was rushed to a nearby facility, but he later died.
Two neighbors of the suspect, a man and a woman, were also found dead at the scene. Authorities believe the man that deputies fatally shot is connected to the killings.
"We are investigating a double homicide, which we believe is directly related to the suspect," Hazellief said.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Bomb Squad was also called out to the scene, as there was a concern that explosive devices could still be in the area.
Okeechobee city police and Martin County deputies also assisted in the investigation.
Both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office are conducting investigations.
The names of the three people who died have not been released.
