Second Orlando police officer injured in shooting released from hospital, department says

2nd Orlando officer released from hospital

The second Orlando police officer injured in a shooting earlier this month has been released from the hospital.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Both Orlando police officers shot during a traffic stop earlier this month have been released from the hospital, according to an update from the Orlando Police Department.

The first officer was released August 8, while the second was released Saturday afternoon, where he will continue to recover at home.

Both officers are doing well with their recovery, but "still have a long road ahead of them," police said.

"Thank you to the medical professionals at (Orlando Health) for their extraordinary work and for the overwhelming support from our community," the Orlando Police Department posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith provided an update on the officers' journey to recovery a couple of weeks ago with Fox and Friends, saying they're both in good spirits.

The two officers were shot during a traffic stop in downtown Orlando in connection to a homicide investigation in Miami, according to police. The suspect, Daton Viel, is accused of shooting at them before carjacking another person and fleeing the scene.

'Bothers me': Why was Daton Viel out on bond?

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said reports that Dayton Viel, the man accused of shooting two Orlando police officers and who was later shot and killed by police, was out on bond after being accused of sexually battering a young girl "bothers me." He also provided an update on the two officers, saying they're getting better each day, and that their hospital rooms are filled with cards and well-wishes from the community.

Viel was found at a hotel in Orlando hours later where he barricaded himself in a room and shot at SWAT officers. The SWAT Team returned fire, shooting and killing the man.

"He was given a chance to surrender, but he refused," Smith said.