Man Killed After Pulling Gun On 2 Lakeland Police Officers: Deputies

LAKELAND, FL — Two Lakeland police officers shot and killed a man early Sunday morning on Interstate-4 after he allegedly pulled a gun on them from his vehicle, a Lakeland Police Department news release said.

Officers received a call from a state agency that monitors interstate traffic cameras about a vehicle parked in a construction zone enclosed by concrete barriers near the Kathleen Road exit just before 2:15 a.m., according to investigators.

Detectives said two deputies saw a man sitting inside a vehicle, and they walked over tapping on the window to speak with the driver.

"At some point, the man retrieved a handgun and pointed it toward one of the officers," the news release reported. "In fear of their safety, officers returned fire, shooting the driver."

Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia said it is unknown at this point in the investigation how many rounds were fired by Officer Tammy Hathcock, a 15-year veteran, and Officer Garrett Zeigler, a 9-year veteran.

The 61-year-old man was pronounced dead at the shooting location. No officers were injured. Lanes of I-4 were closed during the early morning investigation but since have been reopened, according to Garcia.

Standard protocol for all officer-involved shootings will include four independent investigations. The LPD Violent Crimes unit is conducting the death investigation. LPD's Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative review. The State Attorney's Office responded to the scene and will conduct an investigation, and the 10th District Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an investigation. Per agency protocol, the officers involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation.