Officers killed in St. Petersburg © AP

On what the mayor has since termed a "dark day" for the city of St. Petersburg, two police officers died and a federal marshal was injured in a shootout with a violent fugitive sex offender.

According to Chief Chuck Harmon, the officers and deputy U.S. Marshal went to the home in the 3700 block of 28th Avenue S to serve a warrant for aggravated battery.

A woman answered the door just after 7 a.m. and told the officers that the suspect they were looking for, Hydra Lacy Jr., was in the attic. But when they went to arrest him, a gunfight broke out.

The chief said he believed about 100 shots were fired in all, and that the suspect even got a hold of one of the officers' guns.

An armored police vehicle had to punch a hole through the side of the house in order to rescue one of the officers.

"This is the chief's worst nightmare," Chief Harmon said at a morning news conference. "This is something you never hope to face … I've had a couple [of officers] shot, they were injured pretty significantly, but to lose two in one day is a tremendous loss for our department and our community."

The department identified the slain officers as Tom Baitinger, 48, a 14-year department veteran, and Jeffrey Yaslowitz, 39, an 11-year veteran.

Both were married. Yaslowitz was a father of three children ranging in age from 5 to 12.

The marshal, who has not been publicly identified, was shot twice but is in stable condition. He was wearing a bulletproof vest that absorbed one of the two shots.

THE SUSPECT

Lacy, 39, remained holed up in the home after the shootout, firing fiercely at officers when they stormed back into the house to rescue Officer Yaslowitz. But after the home had been quiet for a few hours, bomb squad robots and eventually a bulldozer were sent in.

At 2:15, it was official: the suspect was dead. Later Monday afternoon after removing the body, the St. Petersburg Police Department confirmed through fingerprints that he was Hydra Lacy Jr.

Lacy, the brother of professional boxer Jeff Lacy, had a long criminal history and had spent two stretches in prison. He was a registered sex offender who had absconded from his known address.

Chief Harmon said the task force serving the warrant didn't think Lacy was even in the house, as they had had no luck trying to find him in recent weeks.

"We have been looking for him for weeks, using not only uniformed folks but also some covert deals to try and apprehend him. He was somebody we wanted to get off the street and obviously today you see why," he explained. "Who expects to walk into a house and get gunfire from the attic?"

FOX 13 spoke with the sister of Lacy's wife, who talked of domestic violence in the home. But she insisted that no one thought things would end this way.

"Please know that nobody wanted anybody hurt," Carol Jewell told FOX 13. "This all could have been avoided and we all feel so bad for everybody's family -- including the nine brothers and sisters that Lacy has. It's sad. Nobody's a winner in this situation."

THE SCENE

The scene unfolded in the Perry Bayview area of South St. Petersburg, a mostly residential area. The surrounding blocks were evacuated after the initial shootout.

Rifle-toting officers, including many wearing helmets and carrying shields, patrolled the streets. A SWAT tank and team members arrived, along with Tampa's police bomb squad and tactical team.

FBI negotiators were called in to speak with the suspect and a vehicle from the Department of Homeland Security was also spotted in the neighborhood.

Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Lakeview Elementary, Douglas Jamerson Elementary, and the west entrance to St. Petersburg College were all secured throughout the morning as a precaution.

THE COMMUNITY MOURNS

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster called it a "dark day" for his city.

"These officers were very well trained and well prepared," he said, "and they did their jobs. They did their jobs with great heroism."

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who, seven months ago, stood at the side of the Tampa police chief as the shooting deaths of two officers on the other side of the bay were announced, said her city is grieving, too, over the morning's events.

"We have felt this terrible loss before and are reminded of the dangers our officers face every single day," the mayor said in a statement. "On behalf of the city of Tampa, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the officers, the larger family of the St. Petersburg Police Department, and to all the citizens of our sister city.

"I know I share the thoughts and prayers of all our citizens who care deeply about the welfare of our law enforcement officials and their sacrifice that allows all of us to live safely."

"Although our city limits sometimes create physical boundaries, we are all united by our service to the Tampa Bay area," added Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard. "The dedication and devotion of all law enforcement personnel is appreciated and the loss of these two men is a true tragedy."

Mayor Foster and Chief Harmon commended all of the officers and agencies who were involved in the ordeal. Foster said he was "extremely proud" of his city's police force.

For anyone who would like to leave expressions of sympathy for the two officers, a location has been set up at police headquarters on First Ave. N., atop the exterior stairway and beneath the portico.