LAKELAND, Fla. -- A man accused of shooting two Polk County sheriff's deputies, one fatally, after a traffic stop in Lakeland, Fla., remains on the loose Thursday night, according to Local 6 News.

The man sought in connection with the shootings identified himself as Eswardo Ramclaim, police told a Tampa TV station. However, sheriff's deputies believe that Ramclaim is an alias.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the incident began when a motorist was stopped for speeding on 10th Street in north Lakeland near Kathleen High School Thursday afternoon.

Deputies said the man, who was described as black with dreadlocks and a Jamaican accent, asked if he was going to be arrested. He then allegedly fled into some nearby woods.

Judd said K-9 sheriff's Deputy Matthew Williams, 39, and his police dog ran into the woods along with Deputy Doug Speirs, 39. Williams and his dog were shot.

"All of the sudden there was a burst of gunfire, several shots and we don't know how many yet," Judd said. "Deputy Speirs took cover and then went toward the gunshots."

Speirs said he fired at the man, who had stood up. Speirs was hit during the gunfire exchange, and the alleged shooter fled back into the woods.

Williams and his dog died from their injuries, Local 6 News reported. Speirs was transported to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.

After the two deputies were shot, the man reportedly took refuge at a nearby house and then exchanged gunfire when Lakeland police officers approached, investigators said. He was then able to elude officers.

Judd warned people Thursday night that the man is armed and dangerous.

"Quite frankly, it is not safe to be out in the area right now," Judd said. "This guy is very, very dangerous. He is armed. We don't know with how many guns he is armed -- possibly with at least two guns. This guy is really dangerous and on the run, and anyone who gets in his way, I'm absolutely confident, will get shot as well."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are assisting with the manhunt.

Helicopter images show armed police wearing body armor searching a wooded area near Interstate 4 Thursday night.

School Closed

In the wake of Thursday's shooting, Kathleen High School will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29. Polk school officials made the decision in collaboration with and on the advice of law enforcement agencies.

All Kathleen High classes are canceled for Sept. 29. The status of extracurricular activities scheduled for Friday involving Kathleen High School will be announced Friday.

All other Polk schools will open as scheduled and buses will run as scheduled.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.