LAKELAND, Florida – Two deputies in Polk County were hospitalized after being shot by a lone gunman early Saturday morning, as reported by the local Sheriff’s Office.
The incident unfolded around 12:22 a.m. when a deputy on duty at Hunt Fountain Park noticed a vehicle parked in the area after closing hours. The deputy approached the vehicle, and despite the driver rolling down his window slightly, he refused to cooperate with the deputy’s inquiries.
When the female deputy asked the driver to exit the vehicle, he continued to resist her commands. Backup was requested, leading Deputies Chad Anderson and Craig Smith to the scene, where a total of four deputies and two trainees were present.
Upon further attempts to remove the driver from the vehicle, the situation escalated as the suspect opened fire on the deputies. Lieutenant Chad Anderson sustained a gunshot wound to his arm, which then passed into his chest. Deputy Craig Smith was hit with four bullets and both deputies were immediately hospitalized.
In response to the suspect’s gunfire, the backup deputies retaliated, resulting in the suspect being fatally shot in the confrontation.
As of the latest update, the identities of the deputies have been withheld until their families have been notified. The suspect, who was believed to be living out of his car and not a resident of Polk County, met a tragic end due to his refusal to cooperate.
Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized that the situation could have been avoided if the suspect had simply complied with law enforcement’s instructions, expressing regret over the unnecessary outcome. Both injured deputies were under intensive care following the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to provide further updates as they uncover more details about the shooter and the events leading up to the violent confrontation.