2 Police Officers Killed in Maryland After Restaurant Shootout

— -- Two Maryland sheriff's deputies were killed today in a shootout with a gunman that began at a crowded restaurant, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

“Today is a sad day for the Harford County Sheriff's Office and citizens of Harford County,” Sheriff Jeff Gahler said.

The deputies were responding to a call at a crowded Panera in Abingdon, Maryland, around 11:45 a.m. when they were fired upon. The suspect injured one of the officers and fled the scene. The second deputy followed in pursuit and was also wounded.

Additional deputies onsite exchanged gunfire with the suspect and fatally wounded him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Both of the deputies died at the hospital.

While the officers’ identities have not been released, Gahler said that one was a 30-year veteran and the other a 16-year veteran of the force.

The suspect has been identified by police as 68-year-old David Evans. He had two outstanding warrants--one of which was a Florida criminal warrant for assaulting a police officer. That incident is still under investigation.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan released a statement on the shooting, saying it was "nothing less than absolutely heartbreaking."

In a statement to ABC News, Panera’s corporate office said they are “heartbroken over today’s incident.”

“Our thoughts and actions now are directed towards the victims and their families,” the statement said. “This location will remain closed as we work with law enforcement to investigate.”