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Man used 'large hammer' to attack wife before Polk County deputy shot him to death, agency says

After being hit with a taser, the 52-year-old "pulled out the taser probes" and began running at the deputy "with the hammer raised."

EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — A man is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office said he attacked his wife with a hammer before a deputy shot him Saturday morning at a home in the Eagle Lake area.

Charles Edwards Jr., 52, was beating his 61-year-old wife over the phone as she called deputies for help around 6:50 a.m., the agency said in a news release.

The deputy who arrived at the home, Christopher Johnston, heard the same woman screaming for help. After entering the house, he reportedly saw Edwards attacking his wife with a "large hammer."

Johnston told Edwards to drop the weapon and surrender multiple times, which he ignored. After being hit with a taser, the 52-year-old "pulled out the taser probes" and began running at the deputy "with the hammer raised."

The deputy shot Edwards at least twice before he and his wife were both taken to the hospital, the agency said.

Edwards was later declared dead while his wife, who suffered significant injuries in the attack, is expected to survive, according to the sheriff's office.

In the release, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the incident "a sobering reminder of how dangerous domestic violence calls can end."

"This violent, enraged suspect was intent on killing his wife and was prevented from doing so by our deputy. We are praying for the victim to recover from her significant injuries," Judd stated.

Editor's note: On Nov. 22, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said they incorrectly attributed an "extensive" criminal history to Charles Edwards, Jr. He had no criminal history prior to the domestic incident. 10 Tampa Bay's story has been edited to reflect the sheriff office's correction. 

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