GRADY JUDD

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests of 12 men accused of soliciting children online for sex, including a Disney employee and a man who rode his bike 10 miles in an attempt to meet a child.

A man was arrested in Bartow after trying to pass himself off as his own brother, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A Lakeland man threatened to kill both himself and deputies in Lakeland, leading to an officer-involved shooting that resulted in his death, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Sheriff: Pregnant Florida woman throws violent tantrum at McDonald’s before twerking her way out A woman who was upset with how long her order was taking in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lakeland stormed into the restaurant, threw a violent tantrum and began t (WFTV)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A woman caught on video throwing a violent tantrum and twerking as she left a Polk County McDonald’s, has been arrested, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. They said one of Jones’ relatives came into the store to try to hold her back and calm her down. Read: Sheriff: Pregnant Florida woman throws violent tantrum at McDonald’s before twerking her way outDeputies said Jones was asked to leave multiple times, but she remained in the store, calling 911 to say, “I’m 5 months pregnant. Jones was booked into the Polk County jail and charged with burglary with assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and misuse of 911. McDonald's: What you need to know McDonald's: What you need to know (NCD)©2022 Cox Media Group

A woman who was upset with how long her order was taking in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lakeland stormed into the restaurant, threw a violent tantrum and began twerking Thursday afternoon, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

A Polk County woman threw a tantrum and dialed 911 over a wrong order at a Lakeland McDonalds, which led to her committing a burglary and assaulting employees, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Sheriff: Pregnant Florida woman throws violent tantrum at McDonald’s before twerking her way out A woman who was upset with how long her order was taking in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lakeland stormed into the restaurant, threw a violent tantrum and began t (WFTV)ORLANDO, Fla. — A woman who was upset with how long her order was taking in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lakeland stormed into the restaurant, threw a violent tantrum and began twerking Thursday afternoon, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Investigators said Jones’ relative and another woman convinced her to leave the restaurant after about 10 minutes. Read the news release here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8ba7bb View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wmdTs03GNs&t=27s Posted by Polk County Sheriff's Office on Friday, May 20, 2022Judd said Jones caused about $100 worth of damage. Anyone with information about Jones’ whereabouts is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477. McDonald's: What you need to know McDonald's: What you need to know (NCD)©2022 Cox Media Group

A woman who was upset with how long her order was taking in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lakeland stormed into the restaurant, threw a violent tantrum and began twerking Thursday afternoon, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Florida woman wanted after violent outburst at McDonald's 22-year-old Tianis Jones is facing charges of assault and burglary. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)LAKELAND, Fla. — Deputies are searching for a woman who threw a violent tantrum inside a Florida McDonalds that was caught on camera. …These people don’t know how to run a (expletive) McDonald’s!”“I don’t know what was wrong with her that night,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told WTVT. “I don’t know if she was just two fries short of a Happy Meal, but she created a McMess and acted like a McNut. … She ended up a McBurglar.”While there were no injuries, Judd told WFLA that Jones became a “McBurglar” when she went behind the counter and threw cups.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday will hold a news conference at a fire station in Lakeland.

Florida toddler dies of starvation, only weighed 9 pounds (NCD)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida couple is facing charges after their 3-year-old daughter died. From the time she was born on July 25, 2019, Judd said until that appointment, she had gained only three pounds. She had been born weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces according to her birth record, WTVT reported. “The baby should have been talking, putting sentences together, asking questions, running, jumping and playing,” Judd said, according to WTVT. Johnson and Tillman are charged with aggravated child abuse, but additional charges are expected to be filed once the investigation is complete.

Two Davenport parents were arrested Wednesday after their 2-year-old daughter was starved to death, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Thursday.

A volunteer with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was arrested for selling his monthly prescription of Oxycodone pills from a marked vehicle, the sheriff said.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Friday held a news conference to detail the arrests of two Lake Wales men earlier this week.

One of three men seen in a video carrying a man shot to death out of a Davenport home has been arrested, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd discusses the results of a gang racketeering investigation.

A former Cook County judge was arrested in Florida on suspicion of solicitation of a prostitute. He was one of 108 people arrested as part of a law enforcement operation against human trafficking.

Authorities arrested 108 people, including alleged child sexual predators and those seeking prostitutes.

Authorities arrested 108 people, including alleged child sexual predators and those seeking prostitutes.

Over 100 arrests were made in a six-day undercover investigation targeting child predators, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County man charged with murder after ‘suspicious disappearance’ of elderly man, deputies sayAUBURNDALE, Fla. — Polk County deputies said they arrested a man after a reported disappearance of an elderly man. READ: Driver on I-95 shot while surrounded by motorcycle riders in possible road rage attack, deputies sayPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd plans to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. to give further details. Deputies said Auburndale resident David Jesse Williams, 30, is facing charges of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and grand theft auto. WATCH: Friends, family demand justice after man fatally shot inside Melbourne sports barThe charges come after what deputies are calling a “suspicious disappearance” of an 81-year-old Auburndale man. Deputies said Williams is currently in custody in Georgia.

Polk County Sheriff Detention Deputy arrested for lewd acts with inmate

POLK CONTY, Fla. — A Poinciana teen was arrested after deputies say he brought a loaded gun to Lake Marion Creek Middle School on Wednesday. Deputies arrested 14-year-old Anthony Archer after they say he brought a loaded handgun to school and had threatened to shoot a teacher. According to deputies, a witness told school administrators that Archer had said he was “going to shoot up the school and shoot a teacher first.”After Archer was removed from the classroom, a school resource deputy asked if he had a gun on him. When deputies searched Archer, they found an unloaded handgun and a magazine with one bullet in it. There is no telling what this eighth grader might have done otherwise,” Judd said.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section on Thursday confirmed its first case of rabies in 2022, finding it within a bat in Winter Haven, officials said.

Officials say a man suspected in a series of central Florida crimes broke a beer bottle over his head and was shot by a sheriff’s deputy who thought the sound was a gunshot.

Shot: Matthew Correa was shot by a deputy who thought that the sound of a breaking beer bottle was a gunshot. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Florida man pursued by deputies after an armed robbery was shot after breaking a beer bottle over his head, as a deputy believed the popping sound was a gunshot, authorities said Saturday. In his other hand was a bottle of Busch Light, which he broke over his head, according to the Times. According to the sheriff’s office, Correa and his companion entered a tire store near Winter Haven at about 8:45 a.m. and asked an employee for money. The couple left when a customer arrived at the store, according to the sheriff’s office.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — An investigation is underway after a deputy-involved shooting Saturday morning in Polk County. READ: Polk County deputy shoots man accused of stealing 2 cars, stabbing manDeputies said the shooting occurred on State Road 540, east of Jim Keene Boulevard, near Winter Haven. No deputies were injured, and the suspect has been taken to a hospital, officials said. Deputies said SR 540 is closed in both directions at this time. READ: ‘Running gun battle’ between drivers in Winter Haven leaves 4 shot, 1 dead, sheriff saysPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd will hold a news conference to talk about the shooting around 1:30 p.m.Channel 9 will have continuing coverage of this shooting on Eyewitness News.

Polk County deputy-involved shooting A man accused of stealing two cars and stabbing a man in Lakeland was shot by a Polk County deputy six times Tuesday morning, deputies said. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man accused of stealing two cars and stabbing a man in Lakeland was shot by a Polk County deputy six times Tuesday morning, deputies said. READ: Sheriff: $10K reward offers for tips after man, 78, carjacked, fatally shot outside CVSThe air unit advised Deputy Christopher Warren to “Use caution. READ: Orlando man dies after being hit by 7 cars while walking across I-4Deputies said Warren shot Bourcy six times before immediately beginning lifesaving measures. “By stating he possessed a gun and then pointing an unknown object at my deputy, Bourcy chose this outcome.

A Polk County sheriff's deputy was involved in a shooting, officials say.

‘Running gun battle’ between drivers in Winter Haven leaves 4 shot, 1 dead, sheriff saysWINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Deputies in Polk County are investigating after four people were shot and one person was killed early Sunday. READ: Sheriff: Deputies fatally shoot man who tried to smother his mother with a pillowDeputies said the shooting, described as a “running gun battle,” happened around 1:13 a.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Blvd. Watch Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd give an update on the shooting:According to a report, people inside of a silver Toyota Camry and a dark-colored sedan exchanged gunfire. Deputies said all four men in the Toyota were shot. READ: Family of missing Osceola woman continue search at Wekiwa Springs State Park on SundayAll the shooting victims are from the Polk County area, deputies said.

A 20-year-old man was killed and four others were hospitalized in critical condition from an exchange of gunfire between two moving cars in unincorporated Winter Haven early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Man shot and killed by deputies after trying to smother his mother with a pillow, sheriff saysPOLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man was shot and killed Sunday after he tried to kill his mother and attacked deputies with a knife, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Deputies said they were called to a home around 3 p.m. on Oakcrest Court in the Davenport area. WATCH: Police identify 15-year-old boy shot and killed near Orlando elementary school911 operators said the received a call from an elderly woman who reported her adult son was trying to smother her. The deputies entered the bathroom and the man immediately charged at them with a large knife, stabbing one deputy on the top of his head, officials said. WATCH: 2 people and a dog killed after crash involving UPS truck in Melbourne, police sayDeputies said they were in fear for their lives, so they shot and killed the man.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland man has been arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter after a deadly crash, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The crash occurred at around 7:37 a.m. on U.S. 98 North, about a mile north of State Road 471. WATCH: Police: Armed man shot by Orlando officers after attempted carjackingDeputies said Waters complained of general pain and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Deputies executed a search warrant for a blood sample, which will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Deputies arrest “grinch” who stole family’s Christmas presents Detectives say 28-year-old Raheim Jamaar Johnson was the man caught on video breaking into a Lakeland home and making off with presents and other items. (Polk County Sheriff)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Polk County, Florida, have arrested the “Grinch” who they say stole a family’s Christmas last week. When she returned home she found her front door open and all the wrapped Christmas presents missing. Read: Lakeland man charged with DUI-manslaughter in fatal Polk County crashJohnson was booked into the Polk County Jail and held without bond. Surveillance photos released by Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Wednesday to urge the public to usher in the new year with safety after he said the sheriff’s office responded to five crashes resulting in eight deaths in a span of just 44 hours.

Four people were killed and two others were injured in a four-vehicle crash east of Haines City on Monday, in which one car caught fire, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Polk County, Florida, are asking for help finding a man who broke into a home and stole all the presents out from under the Christmas tree. >> Read more trending newsInvestigators say the thief broke into the Lakeland home Monday just moments after the owner left, WFLA reported. Judd said the man took several trips in and out of the house, eventually stealing a television and other items totaling $1,600. “I want him to wake up in the county jail on Christmas. Give me that for my Christmas present please,” asked Judd.

A Lakeland woman was arrested Wednesday after allegedly driving under the influence in a crash that left a 22-year-old dead earlier this year, Polk County deputies said.

Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting of a man who they said broke into a Lakeland home Tuesday afternoon.

The Elf on the Shelf now has competition with law enforcement wanting to help Santa Claus keep kids on the good list this Christmas season.

A person and a horse were killed in a crash in Polk County, sheriff's officials say.

Sheriff: Suspect hauling stolen equipment shot during struggle with deputy Michael Jeremy Hatfield of Bradenton, attempted to grab the deputy’s gun before trying to drive away. (Polk County Sheriff)POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County lieutenant is on paid administrative leave after shooting a suspect during an altercation following a traffic stop Friday. According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the deputy had pulled over a pickup hauling construction equipment that had been reported stolen from a construction site near Lakeland earlier that day. Read: Orange County Sheriff employee killed in I-4 crash near OrlandoDeputies found Hatfield two blocks away sitting in his truck. Hatfield remains in the hospital and once released will be booked into the Polk County jail.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking a preemptive strike against retail theft crime sprees that have been reported in other states. To prevent what she called “lawlessness” in Florida, Moody’s office launched the “Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange,” or FORCE. The first-of-its kind task force will utilize a new database that will help law enforcement identify trends and suspects in organized retail theft rings. The database will hold searchable information on theft incidents throughout the state that can be shared between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors. According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail theft costs businesses in Florida and across the United States an estimated $30 billion every year.

Three Polk County deputies fired at two men inside a vehicle that sped at toward them while they were assisting another agency early Friday, according to the Polk County sheriff.

Authorities say more than 100 people have been arrested in a Florida human trafficking investigation that focused on victims who might be forced into prostitution.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will give an update about a six-day undercover investigation focusing on identifying and helping victims of human trafficking. The news conference is set to start at 9:30 a.m. at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven. They said 55 of the suspects live in Polk County. Of the 38 suspects arrested for offering to commit prostitution, two have been identified as possible human trafficking victims. Detectives said they worked with anti-trafficking organizations, and each suspect arrested for prostitution was offered assistance.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefed the media Friday on what he called the “violent” murder of a local woman and the search for the suspected killer. Judd provided a detailed timeline that started Wednesday when 74-year-old Perfecta Paz was reported missing by her sister, with whom she lived. The only other resident of the home, 39-year-old Aroldo Paz, told the sister Perfecta had simply left on her own. Detectives say they believe Aroldo Paz murdered Perfecta sometime after her sister went to work Tuesday. Polk City murder suspect vehicle Aroldo Paz' beige 1999 Toyota CamryJudd says they have evidence the vehicle may have been spotted recently in the Houston area.

Javorice Tramel, 21, was initially arrested on Sept. 22 for grand theft of the victim’s vehicle and violation of probation, but after an investigation by the Polk Sheriff’s Office, he has been charged with first degree murder and using a two-way device to commit a felony.

Sheriff: 2 hurt after shootout between motorcycle gangs on I-4POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies in Polk County said two people are in the hospital after an overnight shootout on Interstate 4. The highway was shut down for hours Friday morning as a result of the shooting. WATCH: Elaborate drug smuggling scheme leads to changes in mail distribution system at Osceola CorrectionsPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the shooters were in different gangs. “The Thug riders decided they would pass the Sin City riders, and that didn’t work so well,” Judd said. A woman who was on the back of his motorcycle was hit in the crossfire and is seriously hurt.

Two people on motorcycles were shot on Interstate 4 early Friday during a gun battle between members of two motorcycle gangs, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. A woman who was riding on the back of one motorcycle was shot in the head and thrown from the bike, Judd said. She died Friday, the Sheriff’s office announced Saturday. A second motorcyclist was shot in the back. The incident ...

Two people riding motorcycles were shot and injured overnight Friday in Polk County, according to the sheriff’s office.

Hispanic Heritage: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's Jack Pena

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update Monday on the arrest of a Pennsylvania man who is accused of brutally killing three people in Davenport on Saturday.

“I want to underscore there is absolutely unequivocally zero evidence," said Judd, whose county is located between Tampa and Orlando. According to the sheriff, Runyon and his colleagues were in central Florida to perform work for a Bethlehem, Pa.-based electrical contractor that had been hired by the Publix grocery chain. Deciding to use a baseball bat instead of the crossbow, Runyon first attacked the supervisor who was sleeping and later died at a hospital. Runyon explained his bloodied condition to the Publix employee by saying he had been raped, and the Publix employee urged Runyon to go to a local hospital, which he did. The Publix employee then called the sheriff's office, and deputies arrested Runyon at the hospital, the sheriff said.

An electrician accused of killing three co-workers on assignment in central Florida told detectives he did it because his colleagues had raped him, but a Florida sheriff on Monday said there was no evidence to support the claim. Shaun Runyon, 39, confessed multiple times to the murders during interviews with detectives, telling them that the co-workers had raped him, and “he hated all three of them," but a sexual battery test failed to confirm the allegation, said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd during a news conference. “I want to underscore there is absolutely unequivocally zero evidence," said Judd, whose county is located between Tampa and Orlando.

Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor before the deadly rampage, officials said.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Authorities say a third victim has died following a violent attack where an angry electrician wielding a knife and baseball bat killed three co-workers and injured another at the Florida home they shared.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Florida Coworkers Attacked This photo provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office shows Shaun Runyon. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Runyon and seven co-workers and their families were living at the home rented by a Pennsylvania company, J & B Electric, Inc.

Authorities said Sunday a third victim has died following a violent attack where an angry electrician wielding a knife and baseball bat killed three co-workers and injured another at the Florida home they shared. Polk County Sheriff's officials said electrician Shaun Runyon got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site. A fourth victim suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

Authorities say an electrician who got in an angry dispute with a supervisor attacked his coworkers at the Florida home they shared, killing three.

Electrician Shun Runyon and his coworkers were living in Davenport while they worked temporarily at a supermarket for a Pennsylvania electric company. The 39-year-old got into the argument with his supervisor Friday, punching the man and fleeing the job site, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference. A second victim was found dead on the front porch and a third victim was beaten so badly he was hospitalized in extremely critical condition and was “not expected to survive,” the sheriff said. Judd said the man discarded his bloody clothes at the home as they urged him to go to the hospital where he was later taken into custody. Runyon also has a violent criminal history, the sheriff said, including a violent arrest dealing with strangulation in Pennsylvania.

Three people were brutally beaten in Polk County, leaving two dead, Sheriff Grady Judd said Saturday. The third victim is also not expected to survive. Judd said sheriff’s deputies arrested Shaun Runyon, 39, for the murders after a two-hour manhunt. At a news briefing in Davenport, a community near Haines City, Judd outlined the series of events. Runyon worked for a Pennsylvania electric ...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested after attacking people inside a Polk County home with a baseball bat and knife, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff’s Grady Judd said Shaun Runyon killed two people and left one in critical condition. WATCH: Body of missing woman Miya Marcano found, sheriff saysDeputies said Runyon was doing work with Publix cooperation in Lakeland as part of a Pennsylvania electric company. Watch Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s news conference here:After punching his supervisor, Runyon fled the job was working and his whereabouts were unknown, deputies said. WATCH: ‘Evil in the flesh’: Ex-Marine kills 3 adults and infant during rampage in Polk County, sheriff saysDeputies said he went inside the home and beat and stabbed a total of seven people.

An undercover investigation led by Polk County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of 16 suspects for possessing, creating and sharing child thousands of child pornography files.

Richard B. Stafford, the attorney for the family of Gabby Petito, said during a press conference Tuesday that Brian Laundrie, Petito's fiancé, should turn himself in. Laundrie, who has not been specifically connected to Petito's death, is the subject of a federal warrant accusing him of illegally using another person's debit card and PIN.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is praising the actions of a group of citizens who saw one of his deputies struggling to detain a murder suspect and came to help. According to the sheriff’s office, 37-year-old Jason Robinson’s mother called Saturday evening to report that her son told her he’d killed his girlfriend. According to the Sheriff’s Office, as the deputy attempted to place Robinson in handcuffs, he attacked the deputy, removing his radio and taser while choking him. That’s when two bystanders who witnessed the struggle intervened to help the deputy get Robinson into handcuffs. According to the sheriff’s office, he also has extensive criminal records in multiple other states including Illinois, Delaware, Mississippi, and North Carolina.

A Florida man was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend after he confessed to his mother and she called police, sheriff's officials said Monday. Jason Robinson was arrested Saturday night after a struggle in which he removed a Polk County Sheriff's stun gun and radio and attempted to choke him, the sheriff's office said in a news release. “Had they not gotten involved, this could have been much worse than it already is,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Riley, who did not know the family, also shot an 11-year-old girl, but she survived. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)The Associated Press reported that Riley told authorities he was high on methamphetamines when the killings took place. Riley, who did not know the family, also shot an 11-year-old girl, but she survived. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Riley gained entrance to the main house by shooting out the glass in the back door. Like Gleason had the evening before, the girl told Riley her name was not Amber and there was no Amber living there, the sheriff said.

Chance encounter with father set off fatal series of events spurred by "fiction, all made up" by suspect, sheriff adds. Four family members were shot, including infant being held by mother.

Florida Shooting Family Killed Officers from the Polk County Sheriff Department work outside Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, in Lakeland, Fla., at the home where a family of four was shot and killed. Riley had told acquaintances he was headed for Hurricane Ida relief work and the friend offered the kit for the purported trip. In fact, no one named Amber lived at the home and Gleason repeatedly told Riley that before asking him to leave their initial encounter. He's a sniveling coward,” Judd told reporters. This is going to go on for weeks and weeks and weeks,” the sheriff said.

A Florida sheriff says a chance encounter with a former Marine beset by delusions of child sex trafficking ultimately led to the massacre of four members of a Florida family including mother holding a baby boy.

POLK COUNTY, FLA. — An 11-year-old girl remains hospitalized after she was shot multiple times the same morning that four members of her family were shot and killed inside their Polk County home. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update on the girl’s condition and the investigation into suspect Bryan Riley, 33, on Thursday. Judd said Riley, a Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has shown no remorse since the shooting. PHOTOS: 4 fatally shot including infant in unincorporated Polk County, suspect has shootout with deputiesExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 4 fatally shot in unincorporated Polk County Polk County deputy shootout; 4 dead in Lakeland (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Judd said Riley returned to the property in the early hours of the next morning to begin his “execution” plan. The 11-year-old told deputies Riley pulled her aside and interrogated her about Amber, shooting her several times when she said she didn’t know who Amber was.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will provide an update Thursday morning on Sunday’s quadruple homicide.

Bryan Riley allegedly shot and killed a couple, their 3-month-old son and the boy's grandmother. An 11-year-old girl in the Lakeland, Fla., home was shot seven times but is in stable condition.

Riley, who served as a sharpshooter in Iraq and Afghanistan, surrendered Sunday morning after a furious gun battle with authorities. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Riley told interrogators that the victims “begged for their lives, and I killed them anyway.””He is evil in the flesh,” Judd said. Riley, who lives 30 miles away in Tampa (50 kilometers), told Gleason that God had sent him to prevent a suicide by someone named Amber. Gleason and one of the other victims told Riley no one by that name lived there and asked him to leave. Still, one officer rushed in and grabbed the wounded girl, who told authorities there were three dead people inside.

Marine veteran Bryan Riley, 33, is being held without bond after Sunday's massacre on four counts of first-degree murder.

A former Marine sharpshooter accused of invading the home of apparent strangers in Florida and fatally shooting a woman, her 3-month-old baby and two others was ordered held without bail.

A Florida sheriff says a man wearing full body armor fatally shot four people, including a mother and the 3-month-old baby she was cradling, and engaged in a massive gunfight with police and deputies before getting wounded and surrendering.

Deputies found an infant and three people shot and killed in a Polk County neighborhood on Sunday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina is continuing his push to get everyone in his department vaccinated.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd urges people to listen to their doctors.

Tashia Smith was reported missing earlier this week but later found shot to death.

A woman who had been drinking and smoking marijuana got behind the wheel and caused a fatal wrong-way crash Sunday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

A Winter Haven man was found with over 600 images and videos depicting child pornography and tried to factory reset his phone after “battering a victim in the home” before deputies arrived, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Nine people were arrested in a Winter Haven drug bust, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County deputies quickly arrested the man the say shot and killed a victim during an argument Friday.

A 2-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot by her 3-year-old brother Friday evening, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Polk County Jail inmates will soon have the chance to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a news release.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial "anti-rioting" bill into law Monday during an new briefing in Polk County.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Three former Polk County deputies face charges after money went missing from an arrest in December, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives said the sergeant then questioned Raczynski about the money and told his superior that he and Lawson would “make it right” by submitting their own money into evidence. AdRaczynski now faces charges of conspiracy to commit evidence tampering, official misconduct, tampering or fabricating evidence, forgery and uttering forged instrument. Lawson faces conspiracy to commit evidence tampering, official misconduct and tampering or fabricating evidence. Cook faces conspiracy to commit evidence tampering.

Ebony Chaney, 34, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and cheating/gross fraud. Phyllis Tirado, 49, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud and cheating/gross fraud. Takila McBurrows, 36, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. AdTashai Newman, 43, of Winter Haven - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. Derrick Dawsey, 50, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County Public Schools employee crashed her pickup truck and was arrested for driving under the influence, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies responded to Lake Mabel Loop Road around 4:03 p.m. Sunday where a black Chevrolet Silverado was crashed into a barbed wire fence. Following a field sobriety test, Steele was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail. Deputies also collected two breath samples that read .183 and .178 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. “Thankfully, this was not a serious crash, but the issue of driving while impaired is still a very serious problem.”According to the sheriff’s office, Steele is currently employed by Polk County schools in the curriculum and instruction department as a social science coach.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County paramedic is accused of stealing highly sought-after coronavirus vaccine doses, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Polk County Fire Rescue contacted the sheriff’s office after determining the doses were not given to firefighters and were missing. The sheriff, along with Polk County Fire Chief Robert Weech described Tuesday during a news conference how authorities learned of the missing doses. Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic arrested Sheriff Grady Judd, along with PCFR Fire Chief Robert Weech and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, is giving details about the arrest of Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic Joshua Colon in the theft of three Moderna vaccine doses. The captain was formerly a reserve deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“He was laid to rest in a grave in Fort Meade, there were solar lights placed in his grave by his family and a worthless individual stole those lights. They installed a game camera that downloaded text and put more solar lights up,” Judd said. We have caught us a thieving animal on the game camera, they notify the sheriff’s office, we immediately responded and arrested Kevin Wheeler with more stolen lights from Damien Tillman’s grave,” Judd said. I thought they were cool so I stole them off of a dead young man’s grave, who was viciously murdered,’” Judd said. His criminal history includes grand theft and vehicle theft charges, as well as receiving a special court martial by the U.S.

An 18-year-old Lake Nona High School student was arrested Monday in connection with a house party that left four teens injured, including a girl who was dragged under a car for 450 feet, Polk County sheriff’s officials said. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Mateo Pinzon Penagos was arrested in Orlando on charges of burglary with damages over $1,000, criminal use of personal identification and allowing minors alcohol at an open house party. Sheriff’s officials said the vacation home sustained more than $2,000 in damage, and detectives later determined that it was hosted by Penagos. They said they were also able to locate witnesses who saw Penagos with the stolen identification and had first-hand knowledge that he was responsible for arranging the open house party. “At the very least, open house parties are loud and disruptive to neighborhoods and leave litter and damages behind,” Judd said.