An early-morning domestic dispute escalated Friday into a gun battle between a lone suspect and Polk County deputies.
LAKELAND — An early-morning domestic dispute escalated Friday into a gun battle between a lone suspect and Polk County deputies.
No deputies were injured but the suspect, 32-year-old Joshua A. Imhoff, a Lakeland resident with a criminal history, was shot multiple times, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news briefing at State Road 33 and Combee Road, close to where the suspect was apprehended.
“He’s a bad actor,” Judd said. “He was wild, out of control, and made suicide-by-cop statements.”
A stretch of S.R. 33 between University Boulevard and Combee Road remains closed while sheriff’s investigators complete their work. Mobile units, a command center and forensics investigation laboratory were brought in to assist in the investigation.
Judd described a chaotic scenario that unfolded before sunrise Friday, beginning at 4:23 a.m. when a woman called 911 to report that her ex-boyfriend was threatening to come to her home with a gun.
“He (Imhoff) threatened to kill her,” Judd said.
According to Judd, the woman evacuated her home and Sheriff’s deputies caught up with Imhoff and attempted a traffic stop, but he led deputies on a chase westbound on Interstate 4.
Deputies in unmarked vehicles attempted another stop as the suspect exited I-4 at S.R. 33 and turned onto Tomkow Road, heading north to Old Polk City Road.
The chase ended on S.R. 33 just south of I-4.
“While we’re trying to set up stop sticks he begins to shoot at us,” Judd said. “We eventually rammed the car off the road” but Imhoff fled on foot while continuing to shoot at deputies.
Deputies eventually used their vehicle to knock Imhoff down, but “he jumped out with a knife,” Judd continued.
Imhoff was brought down with more gunfire and given first aid by deputies involved in the chase. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where he underwent surgery and is listed in critical but stable condition, the Sheriff's Office said.
Imhoff, who resides at 2507 Meadow Lane, is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm, the Sheriff's Office said. He has a history of felony and misdemeanor charges, including domestic-aggravated stalking, burglary, grand theft, forgery and shooting a deadly missile into a dwelling/vehicle/building.
Judd said he’s not sure how many shots were fired, either by deputies or the suspect.
This article will be updated as details become available.
Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.
This article will be updated as details become available.
Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.