Port Orange shooting: Woman fires gun inside police lobby, shot by officers, chief says
Woman fires gun inside Port Orange police headquarters, officers say
A woman armed with a gun walked into the lobby of the Port Orange Police Department on Thursday morning and fired at least one round before walking out, according to Police Chief Manuel Marino.
PORT ORANGE, Fla. - A woman armed with a gun walked into the lobby of the Port Orange Police Department on Thursday morning and fired at least one round, before walking out, according to Police Chief Manuel Marino.
That woman was then confronted and shot by several officers, and taken to the hospital, where she remained in critical condition, the police department said.
Shooting inside lobby
What we know:
The shooting happened around 8:30 a.m. at the department's headquarters on South Clyde Morris Boulevard. Crime scene tape remained around the parking lot for hours as investigators processed the scene.
According to Chief Marino, the woman entered the lobby, displayed a handgun and pointed it at civilian employees. Police say she fired one round inside the building before walking out of the station.
Three responding officers confronted the woman outside the building. Police say an officer-involved shooting followed, and the woman was struck by gunfire and taken to the hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure. Police have not released a motive or the woman's identity as the investigation continues.
What we know about the alleged shooter
In a Thursday afternoon update, the Port Orange Police Department identified the woman as 71-year-old Linda Jean Croteau. She was listed in critical condition at the hospital, police said.
‘None of our staff were injured’
What they're saying:
According to Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino, Croteau had entered the department's lobby, where she allegedly confronted civilian employees with a handgun.
"At that point, she remains in the lobby for a bit of time, a few minutes, when ultimately, she does fire a round in the lobby in the direction where some of our civilian staff were working," Marino said.
Police said responding officers confronted Croteau after she exited the building, leading to an officer-involved shooting.
Woman shoots inside Port Orange lobby: Press conference
Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino gives an update after a shooting inside the lobby of the Port Orange Police Department. He said a woman walked inside, showed a gun, and fired. She walked out and was confronted by three officers -- and shot. No officers or civilians inside the police department were hurt, he said.
"She exits the front lobby and is confronted by the three officers that are responding to the scene. At that point, there is an officer-involved shooting," Marino said.
Croteau was taken to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Police said no officers or employees were injured.
Marino said the department's priority is now supporting employees who witnessed the shooting.
"Fortunately, as I said, none of our staff were injured. Now it's the point of helping them recover," he said.
Witness: Shooter was ‘like a zombie'
A construction worker says he was stunned after witnessing the moments leading up to an officer-involved shooting outside the Port Orange Police Department.
Caleb Lemons said he was working nearby when he saw 70-year-old Linda Croteau walk out of the police department.
"Honestly, I was shocked, I didn't know what to think," Lemons said.
He described Croteau as appearing disoriented.
"She was quiet. She didn't say anything at all. She walked out of the front door like a zombie, almost just completely out of it," he said.
Police Chief: Motive in shooting not known
What we don't know:
Chief Marion said a lot of details were still under investigation and being determined. He said a motive for the shooting was not known, and said it was unclear what relationship, if any, the woman had to the police department.
Police lobby closed
What's next:
The Port Orange Police Department lobby will remain closed until Tuesday.
The Source: The Port Orange Police Department issued a news release about the shooting on Thursday morning, Sept. 2, 2026. Chief Marion held a news conference shortly before 11 a.m. to provide an update on the shooting investigation.