Lakeland Man Shot After Firing Gun At Deputies

LAKELAND, FL - A Lakeland man suffered multiple gunshot wounds after he shot at Polk County Sheriff’s deputies Friday morning following a chase, according to Sheriff Grady Judd. The man was identified as Joshua Imhoff, 32, who is in intensive care at a Lakeland hospital. Imhoff was listed as critical, but stable condition.

The shooting closed Highway 33 near Combee Road for much of Friday morning. Judd said the incident began about 4:22 a.m. Friday when a woman called police, saying her ex-boyfriend showed a gun on Facebook. He asked, "How messy do you think this will be?" The woman and her family were evacuated from her home.

Judd said Imhoff also threatened deputies, claiming he was prepared to die. "He was wild; he was out of control," Judd said.

Judd said Imhoff has a criminal history and is a convicted felon, calling him a "bad man." As a convicted felon, Imhoff is prohibited from having a firearm.

Deputies initially pulled over Imhoff on I-4 and he then took off westbound on the interstate. They stopped him on Highway 33 when deputies rammed his car. He then jumped out of his car and started shooting at deputies, who returned fire, Judd said. No deputies were injured.

Imhoff fled down the road and deputies knocked him down with their patrol car.

Imhoff's prior criminal history includes 20 felony charges, and four misdemeanor charges, to include: domestic-aggravated stalking, violation of probation, false name to 2nd-hand dealer, burglary, grand theft, forgery, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, shooting a deadly missile into a dwelling/vehicle/building, battery, and domestic battery.

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