LAKELAND, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said two deputies are seriously hurt and the suspected shooter is dead after a confrontation in Lakeland.

What You Need To Know

  • Two Polk County Sheriff's deputies are seriously hurt and one suspect is dead after a shooting that occurred after midnight at Hunt Fountain Park in Lakeland

  • Sheriff Grady Judd said a deputy saw a parked car and approached it, but the man inside would not cooperate with the deputy's requests

  • At least two more deputies arrived and tried to remove the man from the car. That's when Judd said the suspect fired at them and deputies returned fire

  • Two deputies suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to a nearby hospital, where they are recovering from their injuries

The incident happened just after midnight at Hunt Fountain Park off Duff Road. Judd said a deputy saw a parked car and approached it, but the man inside would not cooperate with the deputy's requests. He then called for back-up.

At least two more deputies arrived and tried to remove the man from the car. That's when Judd said the suspect fired at them and deputies returned fire. The suspect died from his injuries. 

"He asked for a gunfight. We gave him a gunfight. And he'll never be in another gunfight again. Because he's dead, like he asked for," said Judd.

According to Judd, two deputies were hurt in the shooting. He said a bullet traveled through Lieutenant Chad Anderson's arm and into his chest. He underwent emergency surgery.

The Polk Sheriff said another deputy, Craig Smith, is in the ICU with four gunshot wounds.

The sheriff's office is not naming the suspect at this time, but Judd said the suspect is a Moorish sovereign citizen. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, it is a group that believes individuals hold sovereignity over the government and is exempt from the rules imposed by the U.S.

Judd said the group is known to shoot at law enforcement.

Watch the press conference from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd below: