Lakeland Police Shoot, Kill Man Armed With Gun

LAKELAND, FL - Six Lakeland police officers shot and killed a man late Thursday after police say he moved toward officers with a gun. The man died at a local hospital.

Neighbors called police about 8:43 p.m. complaining about Jerry Roach, 71, of 726 West Crescent Drive, according to Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens. Neighbors said Roach had a gun and was yelling racial slurs at neighbors. Neighbors reported that Roach fired a shot in the air and then pointed his gun at them from his front yard, police said. Multiple officers responded to the area, set up a perimeter, and surrounding residents were evacuated.

Roach refused to come out of his house. “During the last phone conversation with negotiators, he said he was coming out and officers would have to kill him,” said Giddens.

About 10:52 pm, Roach came out of his house with a shotgun and moved toward officers, police said. Officers told Roach to drop his weapon and when he did not, six officers simultaneously shot Roach, Giddens said. Roach was taken to Lakeland Regional where he was pronounced dead at 11:20 pm. None of the officers were injured.

Prior to Thursday's incident, Lakeland police have responded to disturbance calls at the residence seven times this year, police said.

Police say Roach is a convicted felon with a criminal history that includes three felony and two misdemeanor arrests. Due to a felony conviction, he was prohibited from having a firearm.

All officers are on routine paid administrative leave pending the investigation, police said.

Image via Lakeland Police Department