Man Possibly Impaled On Stolen Knife Identified

PLANT CITY, FL — As the Friday night death of a 53-year-old Lakeland man following a shoplifting incident in Plant City remains under investigation, police have released some details in the case. According to the agency, Jerry Ellis Word died after suffering what is believed to be a “self-inflicted bladed weapon wound” to his upper arm.

The incident that led to Word’s death began to unfold around 6:40 p.m. May 5. Police say they were called to the 2801 James L. Redman Parkway Lowe’s home improvement store about a shoplifter. After arriving, officers learned a man had entered the store, picked out a knife and removed it from its packaging. The man then concealed the knife and tried to leave the store without paying, an email from the agency said.

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Lowe’s loss prevention personnel confronted the man, but he “reportedly brandished the knife in a threatening manner towards the employees,” the email said. The man then took off on foot, running toward the Parks Springs apartment complex.

“While fleeing with the knife, it is believed the suspect impaled himself in an unknown manner,” a Friday night email from the agency said. After doing so, the man continued to run for a short distance “before collapsing behind a building.”

The man was taken to a local hospital by Plant City Fire Rescue, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Police say the investigation into Word’s death remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the agency at 813-757-9200.

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