The sheriff says the gunman told authorities he was taking methamphetamine.
ORLANDO, Fla. — An armored gunman killed four people – including an infant – in a neighborhood near Lakeland before shooting at law enforcement officers who responded to the scene early Sunday, according to the Polk County sheriff. The man, who told deputies he was a “survivalist,” also shot an 11-year-old girl, who is currently in surgery at the hospital, Sheriff Grady Judd said. No officers were injured. The gunman, who was shot once, was also taken to the hospital, Judd said. “He was ready for battle,” Judd said at a news conference. Officials have not released the alleged gunman’s name. Judd said he was not from the area. The sheriff said the incident began Saturday night when deputies received a call around 7:30 p.m. about a suspicious man in a vehicle near North Socrum Loop Road. The caller said the man told her, “God sent me here to speak with one of your daughters.” Deputies searched the area but did not find the man at that time. Nine hours later, around 4:30 a.m., a Polk County lieutenant who was nearby heard two volleys of automatic gunfire coming from the area of the original call, Judd said. As deputies and officers from other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, they began getting 911 calls reporting an active shooter.
