A man suspected in a series of central Florida crimes broke a beer bottle over his head and was shot by a sheriff’s deputy who thought the sound was a gunshot, officials said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefs the media regarding a deputy-involved shooting that Saturday morning, February 26, 2022 near Winter Haven.–
The sergeant, who was behind the suspect and wasn't able to see the bottle “heard the popping noise" and thought the man had shot at his deputies, Judd said. He fired one shot, hitting the man in the neck. The man, who was with a female companion, stole a red Toyota pickup truck from a supermarket parking lot in Winter Haven, officials said.
As he continued, deputies were able to close in around him. The man put the rifle under his chin and told deputies to kill him.