The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) and Bartow Police are investigating a shooting that injured a deputy and an officer.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Atkins Building, located on North Broadway in Bartow, at approximately 5:25 p.m. on Friday.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said around 11:30 a.m. Wayne Volz, 34, was allegedly holding his parents against their will in a Bartow home all day long.
"He said he was Jesus and God. His dad said, we are people of faith, you're not Jesus, you're not God. He held them against their will. He took their cellphones," said Sheriff Judd.
Volz's father convinced his son to let him go to work at Lowe's, and once he was at work, he was able to call 911.
Sheriff Judd said that Bartow Police and PCSO deputies responded to the area and located the suspect.
Sheriff Judd said Volz shot a Polk County deputy and also shot at the deputy's patrol vehicle, striking the vehicle numerous times.
Volz then got into a gunfight with law enforcement and shot a Bartow Police officer in the chest. The officer was wearing a vest, which Sheriff Judd said saved the officer's life.
"Had it not been for the great equipment that (Bartow Police) Chief Walker provides, we would have a dead Bartow Police officer this evening," Sheriff Judd said.
The deputy and the officer were taken to the hospital and are in good condition, according to officials.
The suspect was shot multiple times and died from injuries.
“You know, I gave him probably the biggest hug I could ever recall giving him, and he held on tight"
A father and son from Parrish reunited after Thursday’s horrific mass shooting at Florida State University. Steve Malave drove hundreds of miles to be with his son Christopher in the aftermath.
