Shooting - Luke Neely The Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a 9-1-1 call this morning at 8:11 a.m. in the north Lakeland area (Plantation Ridge development) about an arsonist throwing a "Molotov cocktail"-type incendiary weapon at a residence. When a deputy arrived at the scene (8:12:32), he saw the suspect driving away in an older model Chevrolet pickup truck.
The deputy attempted to pull over the truck, but it refused to stop and continued south on US Route 98. Given the arson allegations, the deputy attempted, but failed, a precision immobilization technique (PIT) on the fleeing truck on US 98/Florida Avenue. Deputies pursued the pickup westbound on Interstate 4.
The fleeing truck slowed near the westbound on-ramp to Interstate 4 from Branch Forbes Road in Hillsborough County, allowing deputies to block and ram the truck to end the pursuit. Luke Neely, 30, of Lakeland, got out of the truck. He possessed a "AR-style" firearm. Polk deputies opened fire on Neely immediately, rendering him unconscious. Deputies then disarmed him, including the second pistol he was carrying, and began treating his injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for his gunshot wounds. We've been told that the injuries aren't life-threatening.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy's use of force because the incident occurred in Hillsborough County. The scene of the crime
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