News and Investigations

A Lakeland man was arrested on Saturday, June 28, 2025, after threatening to cut a roommate with a knife.

A PCSO deputy responded  to the residence on Combee Road North in east-Lakeland at around 9:30 pm.

39-year old William Bruce Johnson was the person who initially contacted law enforcement. He told the responding deputy that another man in the home had grabbed a knife and threatened to cut him.

When the deputy spoke to that man, he said that none of what Johnson said was true. He said that Johnson was cooking in the kitchen and holding the knife. The two men were arguing, and Johnson said, "I am going to cut you!" 

The deputy spoke to Johnson again, and at that time he said, "Yes, we got into an argument; yes, I had the knife." It was a contradiction to Johnson's earlier claim.

William Johnson was arrested and taken out to the patrol car. As he was about to get inside, he told the deputy, "You are going to have to kill me."  

Johnson then began trying to break free from the deputy's grasp, and head-butted the deputy multiple times. 

During this time, Johnson also intentionally caused damages to the patrol vehicle. Backup deputies arrived at the scene, and Johnson was secured in the patrol car. 

On the way to the jail, Johnson began banging his head against the partition and made a racial comment about the victim he had threatened with a knife. 

William Johnson was charged with: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Criminal Mischief, Attempted Escape, Resisting with Violence, and Resisting without Violence.