BARTOW, Fla. – A violent series of events unfolded in Polk County today, culminating in a deputy-involved shooting that left the suspect dead and a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy and a Bartow Police officer injured. Sheriff Grady Judd provided a detailed account of the incident at a press conference, describing the suspect, 34-year-old Wayne Volz of Fort Meade, as a “very violent person” with a history of drug addiction.
According to Sheriff Judd, the ordeal began around 11:30 this morning at Volz’s residence on South Washington in Fort Meade. Volz allegedly engaged in a conflict with his parents, during which he pistol-whipped his mother. When his father intervened, Volz reportedly knocked him down and threatened to kill him unless he begged for his life.
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Sheriff Judd stated that Volz held his parents against their will throughout the day, confiscating their cell phones and claiming to be Jesus and God. Despite his parents’ pleas based on their faith, Volz continued to hold them hostage.
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The situation escalated late in the afternoon when Volz’s father stated he needed to go to work at Lowe’s in Bartow. Volz agreed to go with him, stating he needed to make some stops. According to Sheriff Judd, the father reported that he first drove Volz to Bartow, where Volz allegedly purchased pills from an unidentified individual. Volz then reportedly stated his intention to go to Lowe’s and “kill a lot of people.”
Upon arriving at the Lowe’s in Bartow, the father went inside and alerted his co-workers about the situation, who then hid him. Volz entered the store, but thankfully, no shots were fired inside. The father then called 911, prompting a response from the Bartow Police Department, who requested assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, including a drone.
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Sheriff Judd explained that deputies and police officers converged on the area. At approximately 4:30 PM, Deputy Sheriff Alexander spotted Volz walking between a Department of Transportation (DOT) building and a Publix grocery store. The area was reportedly crowded with people.
As Volz moved counterclockwise around a building, he passed a drone operator who instructed him to stop and threatened to tase him. Instead, Volz allegedly ran around the building and began firing at Deputy Alexander’s patrol vehicle, striking it multiple times and ultimately hitting Deputy Alexander in the forearm of his gun hand.
Judd stated that Deputy Alexander was “out of the fight,” but two Bartow Police officers and another Polk County deputy then engaged Volz in a shootout. “We shot him enough. We shot him a lot. We stopped the threat immediately,” Sheriff Judd asserted.
Deputy Alexander was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health, where he is expected to make a full recovery. Sheriff Judd relayed that the deputy was in good spirits despite the ambush.
Bartow Police Chief Steve Walker then addressed the media, stating that two of his officers were involved in the shooting. Officer Vincent Augustino, a four-year veteran, and Officer Mark Sills Jr., an eight-year veteran, were at the scene. Chief Walker reported that Officer Sills was shot in the chest but was wearing a bulletproof vest, which thankfully stopped the round. Officer Sills was also transported to Lakeland Regional Health and is reportedly in good spirits.
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Sheriff Judd confirmed that Wayne Volz was deceased after being transported to Bartow Regional Hospital.
An officer-involved task force from the 10th Judicial Circuit is currently investigating the incident. Upon completion of their investigation, the findings will be submitted to State Attorney Brian Haas for a separate review and determination. A representative from the State Attorney’s Office was present at the scene.
Sheriff Judd praised the swift actions of his deputies and the Bartow Police officers, emphasizing the importance of the equipment provided by Chief Walker, which he believes saved the life of the injured Bartow officer.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
PREVIOUS REPORT: An officer-involved shooting in Bartow has left a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy and a Bartow Police Department (BPD) officer injured, authorities confirmed Friday evening.
Both officers were transported to a local hospital and are reportedly in good condition.
The suspect involved in the incident was also shot and has been hospitalized. Details regarding the suspect’s condition have not yet been released.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Bartow Police Department are jointly investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is scheduled to brief members of the media from the scene of the incident at 7:00 pm this evening. Further details, including the location of the shooting and the sequence of events leading up to it, are expected to be released at that time.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
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