BARTOW, Fla. — A tense situation unfolded in Florida on Friday as a man took his parents hostage, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement that ended in the man’s death and left two officers injured.
The incident involved 34-year-old Wayne Volz, who engaged in a gunfight with police at a shopping center in Bartow, situated about 60 miles southwest of Orlando. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the media, confirming that officers had been forced to shoot Volz multiple times to neutralize the threat he posed.
The day’s troubling events began when Volz had a heated exchange with his parents at their residence in Fort Meade. This altercation escalated to violence, with Volz reportedly using a pistol to strike his mother and threatening his father’s life.
Volz eventually decided to drive his father to work at a hardware store in Bartow. Authorities were alerted when the father managed to contact emergency services upon reaching the store. This prompted an immediate response from Bartow police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
As law enforcement conducted a search of the vicinity, a confrontation occurred wherein a deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the forearm. The situation escalated further when additional officers encountered Volz, resulting in a shootout. During the exchange, a Bartow police officer was also struck by gunfire; however, his bullet-resistant vest prevented any severe injury.
Volz sustained several gunshot wounds during the altercation and was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Both the injured deputy and the officer were taken to medical facilities and are expected to recover fully.
In line with standard procedures, all officers involved in the shootout will undergo administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into the incident.