Lakeland Officer Returns Fire From Reported Armed Carjacker

LAKELAND, FL -- A Lakeland Police officer shot and wounded an accused armed carjacker after the man shot at him twice.

On July 11 at 7:09 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to an armed carjacking at 1330 E. Lemon St. The victim, Edwin Lemuel Soto, said he was waiting n his 2000 Mazda 626 waiting on a friend when a man approached him, pointed a handgun at the driver’s window and ordered Soto out of the car.

The man with the gun then got into the Mazda and drove off at a high rate of speed west on Lemon Street. Soto immediately reported the car as stolen.

At approximately 12:43 a.m., Lake Police Officer Alexander Rethwisch was responding to another call when he aw a car matching the description of the stolen Mazda. Rethwisch made a U-turn to follow the car and the Mazda turned onto Interstate Drive and accelerated.

Prior to Rethwisch turning on his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the stolen Mazda hit a curb, blowing out the front tires. When the car with the flattened front tires hit a grassy area, the driver lost control and the car came to a sudden stop.

The driver fled on foot and Rethwisch pursued him. During the chase, the man reportedly stopped, turned around with a firearm and fired two shots at Rethwisch.

Lakeland Police believe Colston's handgun, a revolver, malfunctioned after he fired two rounds. The revolver was found with the barrel damaged and inoperable. Police don't know at this time what caused the damage.

Rehwisch returned gunfire hitting the man once in the left leg. The man threw the handgun over a nearby fence as he fell to the ground.

The reported carjacker was later identified as Terrese Lafayte Colston, 28, of Tampa. He was taken into custody and officers administered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. He is being treated for his injury.

The revolver used by Colston was loaded with 9mm Luger shot shells, with each round containing hundreds of small metal pellets, much like a shotgun shell.

Rethwisch later received treatment at Lakeland Regional Health where it was determined the injuries to his arm and face were from multiple metal pellets hitting him. At least one of the pellets struck Rethwisch between the eyes. He is now recovering

Rethwisch, has been employed by Lakeland Police for three years. Per department policy, he has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Colston has been charged with attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, carjacking with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of felony probation.

Colston has an extensive criminal record which includes 13 prior felony charges and 32 misdemeanor charges including resisting a law enforcement officer, burglary, drug possession, grand theft auto, domestic battery and fleeing to elude a police officer.

Image via Lakeland Police

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