BARTOW, FL – A man was fatally shot by police after an explosive domestic incident unfolded in this small Florida city, escalating to a confrontation with law enforcement outside a local store. The incident occurred Friday evening when Wayne Volz, 34, was embroiled in a violent dispute with his parents at their Fort Meade home, according to authorities.
The situation began when Volz allegedly attacked his mother with a firearm and confronted his father in a threatening manner. “Do you want to die today?” he reportedly taunted while detaining them at home and claiming to be “Jesus and God,” as described by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
After hours of tension, Volz allowed his father to leave for work under the pretense of accompanying him for a more sinister plan, suggesting they “kill a lot of people” in Bartow. Upon arrival at the Lowe’s store where Volz’s father was employed, the father managed to alert coworkers and evade his son’s further aggression.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, deploying resources to handle the volatile situation. Sheriff Judd noted the uncertainty officers faced upon arrival, acknowledging they had scarce details about Volz’s movements and mindset.
As officers attempted to apprehend Volz outside the store, he allegedly opened fire, striking a Sheriff’s Office vehicle and injuring Deputy Edwin Alexander. The responding officers engaged in a gunfire exchange, during which Officer Mark Sills was wounded in the chest.
Volz was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Both injured officers were also hospitalized and are expected to recover fully, according to police statements.
Authorities revealed that Volz had a history of substance abuse issues. Sheriff Judd confirmed that a thorough investigation by the Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is underway, alongside an autopsy by the medical examiner.
This incident underscores the unpredictable and dangerous nature of domestic disputes, emphasizing the challenges law enforcement faces in deescalating potentially lethal situations while ensuring public safety.