On Thursday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference where Sheriff Grady Judd gave details about what led to the shooting of the officer.
He revealed the 13-year-old boy’s name was Wesley Damas, who was riding around in a white vehicle with 14-year-old Leonard Speight Jr. and 19-year-old Jermaine Julian.
The white vehicle belonged to Julian’s mother, Judd said during the press release.
Judd said the Lakeland Police officer, Officer Smith, responded to a shooting call on Kettles Avenue near Simpson Park.
Judd said Officer Smith rushed to the scene, where video caught by Smith’s bodycam showed Damas rushing to get into the white vehicle after seeing the patrol car.
It’s unclear who Damas was initially shooting at before Officer Smith’s arrival, Sheriff Judd said.
Judd said, the three suspects then sped off and led Officer Smith on a short pursuit.
All three suspects eventually jumped out of the car, fleeing from Officer Smith on foot. Judd said after the three suspects left the car in motion, causing it to sideswipe someone else’s vehicle.
The video shows Officer Smith pursuing Damas, who had a gun with him, on foot.
Damas runs behind a building while Smith is chasing him, turns while running and shoots at Officer Smith three times. One of the bullets hit Smith in the foot.
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