Suspect Killed After Attacking Elderly Man with Brick and Charging Deputies

Incident Overview

• 🚨 A 41-year-old suspect, Kente Gavin, was shot and killed by deputies after attacking an elderly man with a brick and then charging at law enforcement.
• 💡 The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon in a Lakeland community, with deputies responding to a 911 call about an armed, erratic individual.

Suspect's Background and Actions

• 👤 Gavin had a significant criminal history, including 23 years in the Florida prison system for sexually battering a child and other felonies.
• 🏠 He was recently released from prison and residing in a community 'Chommo house' for child molesters.
• 🧱 The suspect first attacked an elderly man with a brick, beating him on the head.
• 🏃‍♀️ When a female witness intervened and shoved him off the victim, Gavin chased her into a shed, beat her, and stole her phone as she attempted to call 911.

Confrontation with Law Enforcement

• 🚓 Deputies arrived on the scene and repeatedly ordered Gavin to drop the brick.
• ⚡ Despite attempts to tase him, Gavin pulled the taser probes out and continued to charge at the deputies.
• 💥 Deputies Matthysse and Diaz fired a total of six shots, hitting the suspect.

Aftermath and Investigation

• 🚑 Deputies immediately provided lifesaving measures, and the suspect was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he later died from his injuries.
• 🗣️ Witnesses, including one with a criminal record, stated the deputies acted professionally and had no choice but to fire.
• ⚖️ An officer-involved task force is investigating, with findings to be sent to the state attorney for review.
• ⚠️ Investigators believe the incident was a case of 'suicide by cop,' citing Gavin's statements that he would not go back to prison and would have to be killed.
• 🚫 Gavin was unemployed, receiving federal assistance (SSI), and known to be erratic and possibly sleep-deprived, though drug use is still under investigation.