Authorities said the man who engaged in a standoff with Polk County deputies died of a single gunshot wound, and that the shot was not self-inflicted.
- Kevin Johnson, 28, found dead inside home
- Neighbors had complained about drugs at address
- No deputies were injured
The incident occurred Wednesday evening on Sunset Circle in Lake Alfred.
The suspect, identified as Kevin Johnson, 28, died at the scene.
A hole deputies made in the home Wednesday during the standoff had been boarded up Thursday.
Bay News 9 spoke to friends who said Johnson was a good guy before he got into drugs.
People close to him said he was a father of four kids and was home-schooled.
A neighbor recalled him helping to put out an electrical fire at her home before firefighters arrived.
"We were told that they just came to arrest him," Kimberly Mock said of Wednesday's incident. "But you know that he wasn't going to go into custody that easy. And so it's just a shame.
"You know, it's like drugs," she said. "You know, it's like you never know about a person. It's like they do some good acts, and then this happens."
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said neighbors complained about drugs at the home, and undercover deputies were able to buy methamphetamine there.
Deputies were executing a search warrant Wednesday on drug charges when they said Johnson started shooting at them behind a false wall.
Three deputies shot back. None of them was injured. They were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in a deputy-involved shooting.
Johnson had several prior arrests ranging from drug arrests to sex with a minor.