Suspect who fired shots in neighbor’s home in Lakeland found dead: PCSO

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A suspect was found dead in a Lakeland home on Wednesday after deputies responded to shots being fired at an intersection that morning.

Around 8:30 a.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office shut down an area of Lakeland due to a possible armed suspect after receiving reports of shots being fired at a home near Rockridge Road and US-98 in Lakeland. As a precaution, the area was on lockdown.

Thomas England, 40, went to a neighbor’s home around 2:30 a.m. to get a light for his cigarette, which resulted in an argument. England went to his home, grabbed a firearm, and fired shots into the neighbor’s home, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.

Deputies tried to contact who they believe is the suspect, but he barricaded himself in the home and refused to speak to them. They believed he was armed.

A SWAT team was called in, who sent gas into the home to get England out.

The sheriff’s office was able to eventually enter the home, where they found the man dead, however, the cause of his death was an overdose.

“We don’t see any indication that he shot himself,” Sheriff Judd said.

England is a prior felon, with 16 previous charges including armed burglary with a firearm, aggravated assault with a weapon, and domestic violence with a weapon.

In 2018, the sheriff’s office had to get him out of another home, instructing officials to tell Sheriff Judd to “bring his tank and his helicopter, because I’m gonna take the kids with me when I go.”

The incident is under investigation.

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