LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — In Polk County, Florida, two deputies were injured in a shooting incident involving a lone gunman early Saturday morning, as reported by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the altercation began around 12:22 a.m. when a deputy noticed a vehicle parked in Hunt Fountain Park after hours. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he was met with resistance from the driver.
The female deputy questioned the driver’s presence in the park, but he refused to comply. Despite repeated requests to exit the vehicle, the driver remained uncooperative.
Deputies Chad Anderson and Craig Smith responded to assist their colleague, along with two trainees. As they attempted to remove the suspect from the vehicle, he opened fire on the officers.
Lieutenant Chad Anderson sustained a gunshot wound to the arm that penetrated into his chest, while Deputy Craig Smith was shot four times. The suspect was fatally shot by the backup deputies in response.
Smith and Anderson were both hospitalized in the intensive care unit following the incident, with their conditions being closely monitored.
The identity of the shooter has not been disclosed pending notification of his next-of-kin. Sheriff Judd emphasized that the situation could have been resolved peacefully if the suspect had cooperated with law enforcement.
The suspect, believed to be living out of his vehicle and not a resident of Polk County, opted for a violent outcome instead of compliance with authorities.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face when confronted with uncooperative individuals, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and compliance during police interactions.