Convicted felon shot, killed while SWAT serves warrant at Orange County home

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Sheriff's SWAT members shot and killed a convicted felon while attempting to serve a search warrant Friday morning, according to sheriff's officials.

Jeremy Lewis, 33, was shot when deputies entered a home on 25th Street near Woods Avenue at around 9:50 a.m.

According to Sheriff Jerry Demings, when SWAT members entered the residence they were confronted by Lewis, who was armed with a handgun.

"He was given some instructions by the SWAT team members to drop his weapon. He did not comply. At least two of the SWAT team members fired rounds," said Demings.

Sheriff's officials said Lewis, who did not fire his gun, was shot "multiple times."

Demings said his team knew the Lewis could be armed when they arrived at the home. He said the residence was known for drug activity and violence.

"Over a period of two weeks, the deputies who have been working the investigation got substantial information to get a judge to sign a search warrant for those premises," said Demings. "In these kind of situations, they have to make a split-second decision to protect themselves."

Demings said Lewis was well-known in the neighborhood.

"He's known to the neighborhood. Even this morning I had one of the neighborhood residents come up me, (he) said (Lewis) was a dangerous guy. In the past he had pulled an automatic weapon out on him," said Demings.

Lewis' friends and family members stood near the scene, some crying and demanding answers from sheriff's investigators.

Records obtained by Channel 9 show that Lewis has been in and out of jail. He has been arrested 17 times on a variety of charges including weapons, drugs and robbery.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.

WFTV