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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said this is the third Friday in a row where “people have tried to kill my deputies.”
LAKELAND, Fla. — A 37-year-old man was shot to death by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies after allegedly charging at them with a knife Friday night.
John Snyder had outstanding warrants for burglary and theft before he was shot, Sheriff Grady Judd said during a press conference early Saturday morning. The sheriff added that this is the third Friday in a row where “people have tried to kill my deputies.”
“Three Fridays in a row where our deputies were forced to use deadly force against suspects who tried to kill them,” Judd said.
The sheriff described Snyder as a “homeless meth user” who had been on the run from deputies since Tuesday. He reportedly met with his mother on Thursday, telling her it would be the last time they would see each other, according to Judd.
Around 11:30 p.m. Friday, a deputy found Snyder at a McDonald’s on North Combee Road. The deputy tried to take Snyder into custody before he pushed him off and started to run.
Judd said the deputy tased Snyder, who continued to run until he was in front of the building. Two other deputies arrived to provide help. That was when the 37-year-old pulled out a knife, Judd said.
“The deputy told him several times to drop the knife,” Judd added.
Snyder began approaching the deputies before he was shot several times. Judd said his deputies tried to save his life, but he was declared dead soon after.
“Don’t attack my deputies,” Judd said. “Don’t try to stab or shoot my deputies because if you do, we are going to shoot you a lot. That’s a guarantee.”
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing at this time. The sheriff’s office is expected to release more information on the shooting next week.
The full press conference can be viewed below:
