WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Winter Haven Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting.
Police Chief Charlie Bird said 46-year-old Roderick Helmick, who pointed a gun at officers was alive and talking when he left the scene at the Royal Inn at 3525 Lake Alfred Road (Highway 17).
According to law enforcement, a Helmick called 911 at 5:28 a.m. Wednesday and threatened to harm himself. Police said he told the operator he had a loaded gun in his pocket.
When police arrived and approached him, they say he reached into his pocket, grabbed the gun and pointed it at the five officers, who then fired at him.
On July 25, the Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Helmick was recovering at a local hospital and would face charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
"If you point a gun at one of our officers, our officers are trained to protect themselves and go home," Bird said. "Those officers had no other opportunity and no other choice than do what they did," Bird said.
None of the officers who responded were hurt, but Helmick was hit multiple times.
Bird said Helmick lost his wife recently and "was depressed."
Police began giving Helmick first aid. He was taken to the hospital, where his condition is unknown.
Bird said the officers will be suspended with pay, which is standard procedure.
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