Armed Lake Wales Man Shot, Killed During Gun Battle

LAKE WALES, FL - Polk County deputies shot and killed a man during the investigation of a domestic disturbance Saturday, according to the sheriff's office. During a gun battle with deputies, 46-year-old Shannon Jason Cables, armed with a AR-15 and a shotgun, was shot and transported to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries, deputies said. No deputies were injured.

"In one week, two different suspects have chosen to shoot at our deputies. Our message is clear - if you point a gun at or shoot at a deputy sheriff, we will shoot back, until the threat is eliminated. We are grateful this evening that this suspect did not significantly injure or kill his wife or daughter, or shoot my deputies," said Sheriff Grady Judd.

About 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, the sheriff's office received a call from 4235 Cottage Hill St. in Lake Wales in reference to an armed disturbance and domestic violence incident. Deputies say Cables was threatening his wife, 45-year-old Shannon Dawn and his 19-year-old daughter, Alexis, with various weapons. The caller told dispatchers that he had injured one or both of the victims with a large diaper pin, a pool cue, and Mace spray.

The victims fled to a neighbor's home before calling law enforcement. When deputies arrived, they set up a perimeter around the house and called for the suspect to come out. Eventually the deputies determined nobody was inside the home, and they started searching for the suspect. After searching a wooded area near the home for about two hours, Cables could not be found. During the search, the two victims were treated for injuries at a local hospital.

Two detectives escorted both victims to their home from the hospital, and they arrived home about 2:15 p.m. Two patrol deputies were still at the home.

While both victims and the deputies and detectives were inside the home, one of the victims saw the Cables through a window, approaching the rear of the home, holding an AR-15 and a shotgun. She alerted the deputies. One of the detectives came out of a side door of the home and ordered him to drop his firearms. The suspect pointed the AR-15 in the direction of the detective who was yelling at him to drop the rifle. The sheriff's office said a gunfight ensued before Cables was shot.

Shannon Cables has been in the Polk County Jail on three prior occasions: 1995- fleeing to elude, resisting arrest; 2000 - boating under the influence; 2011- grand theft, dealing in stolen property, according to the sheriff's office.

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