Suspect hospitalized after shooting at wife, deputy during standoff: Sheriff Grady Judd
Sheriff Judd update after deputy-involved shooting
A mental health crisis which escalated into a stand-off has left the suspect in critical condition after he pointed a semi-automatic gun at law enforcement, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
POINCIANA, Fla. - A mental health crisis which escalated into a stand-off has left the suspect in critical condition after he pointed a semi-automatic gun at law enforcement, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The backstory:
This situation began just before noon on Monday when a deputy arrived at the Poinciana home for an attempted suicide emergency call.
As the deputy approached the home, he said that 57-year-old Wilfredo Morales was seen arguing with his wife in the garage.
When the deputy told the woman to come towards him, he says that Morales shot at them both, hitting the deputy's car window.
Neither were hit and that’s when the responding deputy called for backup.
Multiple deputies, an FHP trooper, Haines City Police and the SWAT team arrived.
A perimeter was set, and law enforcement even contacted the suspect’s daughter, and she sent them an audio message to play out loud for her dad.
The SWAT team continued introducing a chemical agent into the home, hoping the suspect would surrender.
PCSO says that Morales then showed himself in the garage with the gun pointed at his chest and he was waving the deputies in to come shoot him.
After using beanbags to get the suspect to come out of the garage, he pointed the gun at the SWAT team and they shot him.
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The SWAT medical team immediately began life-saving measures.
He was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition where he is undergoing surgery.
What's next:
An officer-involved shooting task force and a state attorney are on-site investigating.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave until the initial investigation is complete.
These measures are normal protocol.
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The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.