LAKELAND, Fla. — A tense standoff in a quiet Lakeland neighborhood ended in gunfire Tuesday night after a man allegedly opened fire on deputies who were attempting to prevent his suicide. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd confirmed that 76-year-old Ronald Breese is deceased following the confrontation in the 2900 block of Socrum Loop Road West.
The incident began when deputies responded to a 911 call reporting that Breese was sitting on his porch with a handgun to his head. According to Sheriff Judd, five deputies arrived and began attempting to de-escalate the situation, risking their lives to talk Breese down.
The situation took a sharp, unpredictable turn when the man’s wife, 71-year-old Janice Breese, unexpectedly drove up the long driveway and jumped out of her car, running toward her husband…