A Florida cop has shot dead a drunk guest who knocked out his colleague at his niece’s wedding reception.

The officer-involved shooting took place during a wedding at the Winter Park Events Center on Morse Boulevard in the city of Winter Park in the US state of Florida on 19th February.

The Winter Park Police Department (WPPD) named the victim as Daniel Patrick Knight, 39.

The police responded to a report of Knight allegedly attacking other wedding guests at around 9.30pm.

WPPD spokesperson Lt. Lisa Suepat said: “It appeared he was going up to several people inside the party where he was battering people. It started inside the events centre and ended up outside.”

The police said one cop approached Knight outside the venue and a fight ensued that left the officer “unconscious and incapacitated”.

The second cop tried to talk to Knight as well, but he continued to display “aggressive” behaviour that led to the shooting.

According to witnesses, a crowd gathered around the two cops before the shooting occurred.

William Hoile, who lives nearby, called the scene “pandemonium”.

Suepat said: “We had an officer on the ground. The suspect was approached. There was a second physical altercation with the officer, and then there was a shooting.”

Knight, who was reportedly attending his niece’s wedding, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries.

The two officers were treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Knight’s family said in a statement: “He was a kind gentle soul, and his only crime committed that night was drinking and having a good time with his family.

“This shooting was unjustified and we are working with a lawyer and the FDLE to get the entire truth out.”

WPPD said the second officer has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation into the shooting takes place.