Lakeland Police Officer Shot, In Grave Condition

[MOD 1]

From TampaBay.com

LAKELAND — A 19-year-old man accused of shooting a Lakeland police officer turned himself in Monday morning after a manhunt shut down the Crystal Lake area for nearly 10 hours.

Kyle Williams of Lakeland was arrested about 8:30 a.m. Monday in the attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.

Police believe Williams shot Officer Arnulfo Crispin, 25, around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Grove Apartments, 1661 Crystal Grove Lane, after Crispin went into the apartment complex to investigate Williams and two other men for suspicious activity.

Crispin suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery early Monday morning, officials said. Lakeland police said Crispin was in "grave" condition following his surgery Monday.

Crispin, who has been with the department for 18 months, was alone when Williams shot him, police spokesman Ann Dinges said. A second officer arrived around 10:22 p.m. and found him wounded and unresponsive. Williams and the two other men had fled.

The two other men involved, who were not immediately identified, were taken into custody Monday morning and were cooperating in the investigation, police said. They are not considered suspects in the shooting.

Williams was apprehended near the Crystal Court Apartments, 1969 Crystal Grove Drive, after his mother helped to persuade Williams to give himself up, police said.

"We are certain we have the right person," said Lt. Al Wilson at a news conference Monday morning.

Williams has a history of arrests on charges that include resisting arrest without violence, burglary and disorderly conduct.

Crispin was released from surgery around 3 a.m., but remained in serious condition throughout the morning, police said.

Police chief Lisa Womack said finding Williams was a top priority for fear that he could harm someone in the community or another police officer.

"That's something we just couldn't have," Womack said. "It's a relief to know that we have him in custody."

During the 10-hour search Monday, police cordoned off the area around Crystal Lake, Combee Road and Bartow Road. Police dogs scoured the area and vehicles were stopped at checkpoints, where officers searched the trunks of cars. Police knocked on doors and questioned neighbors in the area.

At 7 a.m., parts of U.S. 98 S, N Crystal Lake Drive, S Crystal Lake Drive and Commerce Point Drive remained closed to vehicles.

Some residents were being barred from re-entering their homes around 4 a.m., according to published reports.

Several agencies were helping Lakeland police with the manhunt Monday, including the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City and Tampa police departments.

Information from the Lakeland Ledger and Bay News 9 contributed to this report.

[Exclusive]

Officer Crispin...You fight! All of our prayers and wishes are going out to you and your family.

[Mod 647]

Our prayers are with you and your family.... Get well.

[1234]

Prayers for Officer Crispin, his family and his leo family. God is with you .

[veteranman]

I wish to live long enough to see the shooter fry in Starke....

[MOD 1]

From TampaBay.com

LAKELAND — Lakeland police Officer Arnulfo Crispin, who was shot in the line of duty Sunday, died in the hospital Tuesday night.

Shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday, dozens of police officers escorted Crispin's body from the hospital. The cruisers left the hospital with their lights flashing, sirens off, according to Bay News 9.

Crispin was 25.

His death comes hours after Lakeland police Chief Lisa Womack stood before reporters and made the grim announcement that Crispin would not survive. His family was making end-of-life plans Tuesday night.

Crispin was "a young, energetic officer, very dedicated to the profession that he chose. He served this community well and will be sorely missed from this day forward," said Womack.

Authorities have charged 19-year-old Kyle Williams in the attack.

Court documents say Crispin was shot in the head after approaching five men in a park Sunday night.

Crispin told a radio dispatcher about 10:11 p.m. that he was getting out of his patrol car to talk with "suspicious subjects," records say.

Two men told detectives they were with Williams and two other men when Crispin arrived.

After talking with the men, Crispin got consent to conduct a "pat-down" search for weapons or illegal drugs, a police affidavit says.

"They stated it was during that pat-down process that (Williams) produced a handgun and shot Officer Crispin in the head," the affidavit said.

"After the shooting, everyone ran from the park, leaving Officer Crispin lying unresponsive on the city park grounds with life-threatening injuries," the affidavit said.

Officer Heather Freeman arrived as backup about six minutes after Crispin's radio transmission and found him gravely wounded, the report said.

Williams surrendered to police Monday morning, and Polk County Judge John E. Kirkland denied bail to Williams on Tuesday.

A candlelight vigil will be held Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Lakeland Police Department, 219 Massachussetts Ave., according to published reports.