LAKELAND, FL (August 28, 2024) – On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., two Lakeland Police Detectives were conducting surveillance in the 1800 block of Plateau Village Drive and parked in their unmarked police vehicle when they were approached by one of the suspects in this case, Arthur Jared Williams (age 18). Williams was not the intended target of their surveillance. Williams was also present with Abdul Milik Littles (age 22) and Littles’ vehicle, a red Nissan Maxima.
The detectives were wearing shirts clearly and prominently marked with police insignias, along with badges, duty weapons and other police equipment. Williams walked up to the police vehicle, looked inside and asked the detectives if they had some marijuana. Realizing their surveillance was compromised, the detectives took a photograph of Williams and Littles, then left the area.
The two detectives were later patrolling in the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue around 5:45 p.m. where they saw the same red Nissan Maxima in the roadway. Standing next to the vehicle was Williams and Littles. As the detectives drove past them, Williams pointed his fingers at the detectives, simulating the firing of a gun.
After passing them, one of the detectives looked in his rear-view mirror to see Williams holding a handgun. Williams then started shooting directly at the detective’s vehicle. The police vehicle was struck 5 times. Video surveillance from the area was obtained which showed Williams firing his handgun 15 times. The two suspects fled the area in the Maxima.
With the valuable assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and an intense search for the suspects immediately began.
In the early morning hours around 1:25 a.m., Williams and Littles were located at a residence in Tampa. The two called for an Uber to pick them up in an attempt to distance themselves from the vehicle. After they left the residence in the Uber, a traffic stop was performed and the two were taken into custody. The Uber driver was extremely cooperative and it was learned the two were headed back to an address on Plateau Avenue in Lakeland.
Williams was arrested for two counts of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer in the 2ndDegree (with a firearm) and two counts of Shooting Into an Occupied Vehicle. Littles was arrested on unrelated charges by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. However, Littles remains a suspect in this case and charges may be forthcoming. Both were transported to the Hillsborough County Jail.
Through facts learned during investigation, Williams clearly knew the detectives he was shooting at were law enforcement officers.
This investigation remains open and active.
All the members of the Lakeland Police Department wish to express their appreciation to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their cooperation and resources given to assist our agency after this horrific assault on our detectives, and bring the suspects responsible to justice.
