Man In Body Armor Kills 4 Early Sunday Morning, Including Infant, In What Looks To Be A Random Attack

Update at 3:27 pm on 9/5/2021:

Police say the suspect went to a home and confronted the residents in some manner, when they told him to leave or they would call the police. The suspect then went to his home a decent distance away, and later went back to the same home.

Original story:

LAKELAND, FLORIDA — A suspect is in custody after police say he shot and killed four people, including an infant, during an early morning rampage on Sunday. Officers responded after hearing gunfire and receiving multiple 911 calls about an active shooter. The incident began around 4:30 a.m.

When they arrived, they found a truck on fire and a man wearing body armor, who ran into a home. Police then heard gunshots and a woman and infant screaming. Police immediately entered the home and had a shootout with the suspect, who ultimately surrendered.

Inside the home, officers discovered a man, woman and infant shot to death. The infant was in the mother’s arms. An 11-year-old girl had been shot seven times. She was taken to Tampa General and taken into surgery. Deputies discovered another woman dead in a separate house on the property.

The suspect was shot during the shootout, and no officers were injured.

Police are not sure why the suspect chose the house that he did, which is no where near his home. The suspect’s girlfriend told police that he gave her no indications that he was going to do something violent.

The suspect did, however, claim that he was speaking directly with God.

In a news conference Polk County Sheriff Judd gave updates to reporters and the public.

Later, another news conference gave additional details, including that the suspect had a valid concealed carry permit and extremely limited criminal history.

This is a developing story.