Woman Allegedly Armed With BB Gun Faces Murder Charge After Deputy Dies From Friendly Fire: Sheriff

A Florida woman faces multiple charges, including murder, after a deputy serving a warrant was killed by friendly fire, authorities said.

Cheryl Lynn Williams, 46, was arrested on 13 felony charges after 21-year-old Blane Lane was killed in the line of duty around 3 a.m. on Oct. 4, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said, WPTA reported.

Blane, a sergeant and and two other deputies responded to a mobile home in Polk City to follow up on a Crime Stoppers tip that Williams, who was wanted an outstanding felony warrant for failure to appear on a possession of methamphetamine charge, was at the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.

Lane was outside the trailer providing cover when the team he was with entered the trailer and saw Williams armed with what appeared to be a handgun, officials said.

Williams allegedly “made the choice to hide, and then to jump out while pointing a gun at them,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Judd said it appeared two deputies opened fire on Williams, striking her twice. Investigators believe a bullet from one of the deputy’s guns went through a wall and hit Lane in the arm and traveled to his chest.

Lane was rushed to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The sheriff’s office said Williams, who was also hit, is expected to be booked into the Polk County jail after her release from the hospital.

The gun Williams was allegedly holding during the incident turned out to be what authorities noted was a realistic-looking BB gun.

“Cheryl Williams would have been taken into custody peacefully, and would solely be facing her original failure to appear charge,” Judd said. “Now she is responsible for the death of Deputy Lane, a young man who had his entire life ahead of him, eager to serve the people of Polk County while making a positive difference as a law enforcement officer.”

In addition to a second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer count, Williams was also charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of resisting arrest, two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of methamphetamine.