Knife-Wielding Man In Wheelchair Injures 2 Winter Haven Police

WINTER HAVEN, FL -- Two Winter Haven officers were injured after encountering a man in a wheelchair wielding a 9-inch knife.

Both officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released at the scene.

Just after midnight on Friday, May 25, officers responded to Central Tavern, 273 Central Ave. W., Winter Haven, where a man in a wheelchair was reported to have a large knife attached to his wheelchair. He repeatedly displayed the knife to patrons.

By the time police arrived, Emmanuel Ruiz Mejia, 29, of 1042 29th St. N.W., Winter Haven, had left the bar but police found him around the corner in front of a business.

As officers approached Mejia, they told him they were there investigating a possible disturbance. Mejia reportedly attempted to roll past them in his wheelchair.

Officers saw a large sword-style knife attached to the back of the wheelchair and removed it. As officers were speaking with Mejia, he placed his left hand under his thigh and appeared to take hold of something. He refused orders to show both hands. Fearing he had another weapon, Officer Kristopher Corley pulled his agency-issued taser and again ordered Mejia to show his hands. When he refused, Corley used the taser on him.

Mejia pulled his hand from beneath his thigh and police saw he was holding a large, serrated knife. He refused to surrender the knife and police tackled him to the ground in an attempt to take it from him.

During the take-down, Mejia reportedly thrust the knife toward Corley, cutting his face and neck.

Officer Edgardo Cruz used his taser to stop the attack and said Mejia threw the knife at him, cutting his Cruz’ hand as he reached up to deflect the knife.

Mejia was eventually handcuffed and taken to Winter Haven Hospital for evaluation. Afterward, he was transported to Polk County Jail where he was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest with violence and four counts of resisting arrest without violence.

Image via Winter Haven police

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