Suspected cop killer gunned down by SWAT team in Florida

The man suspected of killing a sheriff’s deputy on Thursday was shot dead after officers opened fire on him.

An intensive manhunt had been launched Thursday after Deputy Vernon Matthew Williams was killed by a man involved in a speeding violation in Lakeland, Florida. The man had been pulled over by Deputy Douglas Speirs in north Lakeland. Speirs became suspicious of the man’s identification and called for backup.

Before backup could arrive the man fled into the nearby woods. After arriving on the scene, Williams followed Speirs into the woods, searching for the suspect. Shortly after their pursuit began Williams was shot and killed, Speirs suffered a gunshot wound to his leg.

A full scale manhunt was organized and centered on a small area surrounding the traffic incident. Friday morning officers located the man and commanded him to show his hands. Officers opened fire on the man after noticing that he appeared to have Williams’ .45 in one of his hands.

The suspect was killed less than 100 yards from where he had been pulled over a day earlier.

Williams had a wife and three children and had served with the sheriff’s office since 1994.