Lake Wales, Fla. (970 WFLA) - Deputies shot and killed a domestic violence suspect whom they say pointed an assault rifle at them Saturday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Shannon Jason Cables, 46, had threatened and assaulted his wife and 19-year-old daughter with various weapons at their home on Cottage Hill Street in Lake Wales until they could escape and call for help.
Sheriff Grady Judd said that Cables fled into the woods behind the home. Detectives accompanied Shannon Dawn Cables, who has the same first name as her husband, and their daughter Alexis home from the hospital, where they had received treatment for injuries Judd said Mr. Cables had inflicted on them with a large diaper pin, a pool cue, and Mace.
Two other deputies had stayed at the home.
Shortly after the women returned, one saw Mr. Cables emerge from the woods with an AR-15 assault rifle and a shotgun. A detective came out and ordered him to drop his weapons. Cable pointed the AR-15 at the detective and a gunfight ensued, with all four Sheriff's Office employees firing at Cables, who fired back.
None of his shots hit any deputies, but Cables suffered fatal injuries from his gunshot wounds.
"In one week, two different suspects have chosen to shoot at our deputies, our message is clear," Judd said. "If you point a gun at or shoot at a deputy sheriff, we will shoot back, until the threat is eliminated. We are grateful this evening that this suspect did not significantly injure or kill his wife or daughter, or shoot my deputies."