Tragedy in Bartow: Fatal Police Shooting of Wayne Volz After Violent Hostage Situation
A tragic and chaotic sequence of events unfolded in Polk County on Friday afternoon, culminating in the fatal police shooting of 34-year-old Wayne Volz, a Fort Meade man who authorities say violently assaulted his parents and later exchanged gunfire with law enforcement outside a Lowe’s home improvement store in Bartow.
Hostage Situation and Violent Assault
The incident began earlier that day at Volz’s parents’ home in Fort Meade, where a violent dispute escalated. According to authorities, Volz pistol-whipped his mother and threatened to shoot his father in the head. After holding his parents hostage for several hours, Volz agreed to drive his father to work at a Bartow hardware store. Investigators stated that the father discreetly called 911 upon entering the store, leading to a response from Bartow police and the sheriff’s office.
Shootout and Officer Injuries
During a search of the area, a deputy confronted Volz … was shot in the forearm. When additional deputies and officers caught up … A Bartow officer was shot in … . Volz was shot multiple times and later died at a hospital. The deputy and the officer were … are expected to make a complete recovery.
Investigation and Response
All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Polk County Sheriff Grady … emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “We shot him enough, we shot … . We stopped the threat.” The incident has left the Bartow community in shock, as residents process the events that unfolded in their midst.
This tragic event underscores the dangers law enforcement officers face daily and the unpredictable nature of domestic violence situations. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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