LAKELAND, FL. (THECOUNT) — Kenneth Jon Layton, of Lakeland, Florida, has been identified as the victim shot dead by Polk County Police in what officials are calling ‘suicide by cop,” according to Saturday morning reports.
Layton, 60, was reportedly “distraught” when he summoned Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies to his North Lakeland home on Friday.
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Layton placed a call to 911 around 10:20 a.m. from his North Lakeland home, claiming a suspicious man had knocked at his door.
When deputies arrived to the Saddlehorn Drive home, they observed Layton inside holding a handgun. Police repeatedly ordered Layton to drop the weapon but he ignored commands.
At some point, deputies opened fire striking Layton in the chest.
He was pronounced dead of gunshot injuries at the scene.
An emergency medical team was called, but Layton was pronounced dead at the scene in the Country Square subdivision, Judd said. The sheriff said neighbors told PCSO investigators that Layton’s wife died of cancer about two months ago and that Layton had been despondent since, reports NewsChief.
Geo quick facts: Lakeland is a Florida city, east of Tampa. Downtown’s Munn Park Historic District is known for its antiques shops and early-1900s architecture. Florida Southern College has several buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The city’s many lakes include Lake Mirror, with its promenade and neoclassical Hollis Garden. The Polk Museum of Art’s collection ranges from pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary paintings – wikipedia.