Angilo Freeland

Who was Angilo Freeland?

Angilo Freeland was an Antiguan national who was pulled over for speeding in Lakeland, Florida by Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Doug Speirs around noon on September 28, 2006. After giving the officer a fake ID, and the officer called for backup, Freeland ran into the woods and hid. A K9 unit responded and the two officers and the dog began searching for Freeland. Freeland shot K9 officer Deputy Vernon "Matt'" Williams 9 times, including one close-range shot into the officer's head and a second shot into the officer's head with the muzzle of the pistol pressed against the victim's skull. Freeland also killed the dog, and then shot Deputy Speirs in the leg when he came to assist his fellow-officer. Freeland took the dead officer's weapon and ammunition and hid in the woods again.

Deputy Speirs notified his dispatcher of the situation and authorities mounted a massive manhunt, including 500 officers, every available police dog, a SWAT armored vehicle and a helicopter. Law enforcement officers searched the woods for Freeland, who came out of the woods once to shoot at the searchers. He was finally cornered by ten SWAT officers the next day.