2-Year-Old Injured By SWAT Team's Flash Bang Grenade During Raid

LAKELAND, FL -- A 2-year-old boy was injured when a Lakeland Police Department SWAT team raided a known drug house.

On Thursday, May 31, the SWAT team executed a high-risk search warrant at 1103 W. 9th St., Lakeland. According to police, SWAT officers knocked and announced they were there to execute a search warrant. When there was no answer, SWAT team members entered the home. The room was empty but cluttered with cluttered with clothing and furniture, including an old mattresses leaning against a wall.

With no one in sight, a team member used a noise-flash diversion product, a non-lethal product commonly known as a flash bang grenade. As the team member was backing out of the room, a 2-year-old child, believed to have been hiding in the mattresses, began walking toward the device just as it activated. The officer grabbed the child and took him outside to the SWAT team medic.

The boy was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, then Tampa General Hospital, for treatment of third-degree burns on his leg.

The boy's mother, Carmesha Jones, was not at the scene, but was located by detectives a short time later. Jones lives at the home but said she left her son in the care of Willie Cohen, 29, who was arrested at the scene.

During the raid, an aggressive pit bull on the property lunged at a police K9. The K9's handler fired at the dog, grazing one of its legs. Animal control officers examined the dog and determined that the dog was not seriously injured.

The SWAT team seized methamphetamines, Xanax, K2 (synthetic cannabis), crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun during a search of the home.

Cohen was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Known gang member Newton Harris, 29, was also arrested for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Police said additional charges are pending.

Image via Lakeland Police