News and Investigations

The following is an update to Sheriff Grady Judd's briefing in Winter Haven on Monday, February 6, 2023.

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants Monday of the vehicle driven by suspect 21-year-old Alex Greene (DOB 8/16/01) just prior to the crash that ended the pursuit.

During the search of the Chevrolet Silverado that Greene initially used to flee from agents from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and Lakeland Police Department, the following were recovered: 28 grams of Cocaine, 4,178.9 grams of marijuana, a Glock .357 handgun, a Glock .45 handgun, and $2,813.00 in US currency. Greene was also in possession of $5,833 cash found on his person.

The Toyota Camry that Greene carjacked from an elderly victim at Andrea's Family Restaurant was also searched and nothing appeared to have been left in the vehicle by Greene.

Prior to Greene's death, he had an outstanding PCSO warrant for: Residential Burglary (F3), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (F3), and Trespassing with Larceny (M1), following a January 2023 investigation in Lake Alfred.

Greene's criminal history spans back to 2013 when he was a pre-teen. Arrests of Greene since that time include: Battery (Nov. 2013); Battery (Jan. 2014); Marijuana Distribution and Marijuana Possession (January 2015); Fighting and Disorderly Conduct (March 2015); Hit & Run and Resisting (March 2016); Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia (April 2016); Robbery, Larceny, Battery, Criminal Mischief, and Disorderly Conduct (May 2016); Battery (Dec. 2016); Weapon Possession (Jan. 2017); Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia (July 2018), Assault and Fleeing to Elude (August 2022); and numerous Violations of Probation and Failures to Appear in Court.

Greene was under investigation by the Lakeland Police Department for his involvement in the mass shooting on January 30th, 2023 that occurred in the city of Lakeland.

Greene was under surveillance by Special Agents from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), special agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and members of the Lakeland Police Department when he exited a residence in Eagle Lake and entered the white Chevrolet Silverado. An FDLE agent and ATF agents, activating their emergency equipment on their undercover vehicles, attempted to stop Greene as he left the residence. Greene did not stop. Greene fled the area, followed by Captain Eric Harper of the Lakeland Police Department. Greene refused to stop and Captain Harper initiated a pursuit of GreeneFDLE and ATF did not engage in a pursuit. Captain Harper successfully executed a pit maneuver on the suspect just east of Andreas Family Restaurant located at 1498 Havendale Boulevard.

Greene fled on foot. While fleeing, Greene carjacked an elderly female's vehicle and attempted to carjack the vehicle. Captain Harper placed himself to the left of the driver's side area of the vehicle and drew his agency issued firearm yelling commands to the suspect to "stop" and "show me your hands." Captain Harper was also loudly identifying himself as a police officer. The suspect refused to comply with the verbal commands.

Greene then placed the silver Toyota Camry in drive, and drove vehicle towards Captain Harper, quickly accelerating (attempting to run over Captain Harper). Captain Harper discharged his firearm six times into the driver's side area of the vehicle. While engaging the threat, Captain Harper was able to successfully move himself out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. The vehicle being operated by the suspect then struck a parked vehicle in the Andrea's parking lot narrowly missing Captain Harper. Greene continued to flee west bound onto Havendale Boulevard before finally crashing into an unoccupied business at 1598 Havendale Blvd.

In addition to his outstanding warrant, Greene would have been charged with multiple felonies, including fleeing to elude, attempted murder of a LEO, Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, robbery and carjacking, resisting arrest, and possession of drugs with intent to sell.

The investigation is ongoing by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force.

Sheriff Grady Judd, Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor, and State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit Brian Haas, briefed the media from the scene in Winter Haven yesterday (Monday, February 6, 2023). Their remarks can be viewed on the Polk County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.