LAKE WALES, Fla. (April 11, 2025) – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is currently investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred today on Masterpiece Road, located near the Lake Wales area.
Judd held a press briefing this afternoon providing preliminary details about a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred around 1:00 PM today on Masterpiece Road near Lake Wales. The Sheriff stressed that the information is initial and subject to change as the investigation progresses.
According to Sheriff Judd, the events leading up to the shooting began shortly before the Sheriff’s Office was called. The suspect reportedly first wandered into the garage of a 78-year-old man, asked him for a gun, and stated he wanted to be shot and killed. The resident managed to convince the suspect to leave without physical incident. Judd stated the suspect then entered another nearby home, again asking the female resident if she had a gun and saying he wanted to be killed. Details on how he left the second residence were not immediately clear.
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The first witness subsequently called 911 around 12:52 PM, reporting a suspicious man “on drugs or something” and “out of control.” Sheriff Judd noted that based on these actions and the suspect later possessing a knife, he had committed at least two armed burglaries.
The first deputy arrived at the location on Masterpiece Road shortly after 1:00 PM. Sheriff Judd stated the suspect immediately approached her patrol car, pulled a knife from his pocket, threatened her, and explicitly told her to kill him. The deputy attempted to de-escalate, backing away, using her vehicle for cover, and commanding the suspect to drop the knife while awaiting backup.
A second deputy arrived moments later. The suspect then reportedly turned his attention towards the second deputy, knife still in hand. Both deputies continued ordering him to drop the weapon, but the suspect ignored the commands and continued advancing.
At that point, one deputy fired his service weapon multiple times, striking the suspect, who collapsed on the road. Sheriff Judd confirmed life-saving measures were attempted, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“He moves his attention from her to our male Deputy… Our male Deputy backs up and is telling him to put the knife down. He doesn’t. He continues to advance. Our deputy shot multiple times,” Judd explained.
The Sheriff reiterated his earlier assessment that the suspect’s actions forced the deadly encounter. Preliminary information identifies the suspect as a 43-year-old white male, not from Polk County but possibly the Gainesville area, with a history of methamphetamine arrests. Judd also mentioned previous reports that the suspect had told an acquaintance he wanted to die.
The 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force is handling the ongoing investigation, with findings to be reviewed by State Attorney Brian Haas. The suspect’s name is withheld pending family notification.
Sheriff Judd concluded his briefing by reminding the public that this information reflects the initial stages of the investigation.
“I don’t know how many times he was shot yet. We’re in the initial phases of the investigations, and our forensic team is working on that. We’ll be able to release that. I can tell you it’s multiple times, and he was shot enough to stop the threat, which is exactly what our Deputy should have done,” said Judd.
ORIGINAL REPORT: According to preliminary information released by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were involved in an incident that resulted in a shooting. The suspect involved in the incident is confirmed deceased at the scene. All deputies involved are reported to be safe and unharmed.
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Authorities have secured the scene on Masterpiece Road as the investigation gets underway. Details regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting have not yet been released.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is expected to provide a live update shortly. This story will be updated.
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