HAINES CITY, Fla. – A 24-year-old man identified as Louivens Ceus was fatally shot by a Haines City Police Department (HCPD) officer early Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, after he allegedly drove his vehicle directly at the officer during a traffic stop.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood provided details of the incident and the suspect’s background during an afternoon news conference.
The two officers involved, who were not injured, have been identified as Joseph Elam (an 11-year veteran) and Ryan Hamilton (who has been with the department for approximately a year and a half). The officers have been placed on routine administrative leave with pay.
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The Incident
According to Chief Hopwood, the incident began around 2:24 AM when Officer Elam attempted a traffic stop on a pickup truck in the 1200 block of Avenue I. The reason for the initial stop was that the vehicle had no attached license plate and extremely dark, illegal window tinting.
The suspect vehicle, which authorities believe was a stolen 2003 GMC Sonoma that had been spray-painted black, pulled to the side of the road. A backup officer, Officer Hamilton, pulled his vehicle in front of the suspect’s truck.
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When Officer Hamilton exited his vehicle, Chief Hopwood stated that the suspect’s vehicle backed up, nearly striking the original officer’s car, and then “sped forward… attempting to strike Officer Ryan Hamilton.” Officer Hamilton responded by firing several shots into the front of the vehicle.
Suspect History and Contraband
Sheriff Judd noted that at the time of the traffic stop, the officers had no idea of the threat level, but later investigation revealed Ceus’s extensive history and why he may have been desperate to flee:
- Fugitive Status: Ceus was a fugitive, running from the law, and was on probation for a DV battery strangulation charge involving his child’s mother. He also had a prior charge from a 2021 hit-and-run crash and was driving with a suspended license.
- Contraband: A meth pipe was found in the stolen vehicle, cannabis was found in Ceus’s pocket, and a medical marijuana card that appeared to be stolen was also located in the vehicle.
“We’re sorry for Louivens Ceus’s family that this happened,” Sheriff Judd stated, “but I want you to understand clearly and unequivocally at this point in the investigation it is apparent to us that Officer Hamilton did not make the determination to shoot Ceus. Ceus made the determination for Officer Hamilton to shoot him when he drove his truck, his stolen truck, directly at the officer.”
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