Fort Meade Man Killed in Police Shootout After Allegedly Assaulting Parents and Injuring Two Officers
Bartow, FL – A tragic and chaotic sequence of events unfolded in Polk County on Friday afternoon, culminating in the fatal police shooting of 34-year-old Wayne Volz, a Fort Meade man who authorities say violently assaulted his parents and later exchanged gunfire with law enforcement outside a Lowe’s home improvement store in Bartow.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the incident began earlier that day at Volz’s residence in Fort Meade, where a domestic dispute escalated into a horrifying hostage situation. Sheriff Judd, speaking at a press conference Friday evening, detailed a disturbing timeline of events that led to the deadly confrontation.
Volz allegedly pistol-whipped his mother during a heated argument and threatened to kill his father, holding both parents hostage for several hours. During this time, he confiscated their cell phones and reportedly made disturbing statements, claiming to be “Jesus and God” while issuing threats against them.
“This was a volatile and deeply troubling situation from the start,” Judd said. “This man terrorized his own parents, inflicted serious harm, and made it clear he was willing to kill.”
Authorities were eventually alerted to the situation, though details on how the parents escaped or how law enforcement was notified remain under investigation. After the initial altercation, Volz fled the scene, setting off a countywide search that ended just hours later in Bartow, outside a Lowe’s store.
Around late afternoon, Volz was located in the store’s parking lot, where officers attempted to confront and detain him. According to the sheriff’s office, Volz refused to surrender and opened fire, initiating a gunfight with law enforcement officers. During the shootout, a Polk County sheriff’s deputy and a Bartow police officer were both injured, though their wounds are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Volz was shot and killed during the exchange, and despite immediate medical aid, was pronounced dead at the scene. No civilians were harmed during the incident, which unfolded in a busy commercial area, causing widespread alarm and prompting a temporary lockdown of nearby businesses.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the quick response of officers and their bravery under dangerous circumstances.
“These men and women put their lives on the line to protect the community,” Judd said. “It could have been so much worse if not for their courage and fast action.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the full scope of the incident, including Volz’s mental health status, prior criminal history, and how he obtained the weapon used in the shootings. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the State Attorney’s Office have launched an official review of the officer-involved shooting, which is standard protocol in such cases.
The community of Fort Meade and Bartow has been left shaken by the day’s events, with neighbors and local officials expressing sorrow over the violence and concern for the safety of those affected.
Meanwhile, the two wounded officers are recovering, and support is pouring in from across the region. Sheriff Judd concluded the press briefing by urging the public to keep the officers and Volz’s traumatized family in their thoughts during what he described as “an incredibly painful and senseless tragedy.”
Further updates, including the release of bodycam footage and additional details from the hostage situation, are expected in the coming days.