AUBURNDALE, FL —July 13, 2026 — An Auburndale man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he battered his wife during a domestic violence incident, intentionally rammed a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle head-on while fleeing, and then hid inside a chicken coop before being captured.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began on July 13 when deputies responded to a reported domestic violence call in Auburndale. While deputies were en route, the victim told dispatch that her husband, Christopher Murphy, had attacked her and threatened to “shoot her up” before fleeing the area in a vehicle.
According to the arrest affidavit, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office sergeant quickly located Murphy’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop by activating the emergency lights on his fully marked patrol truck. Investigators say Murphy deliberately drove his heavy-duty flatbed tow truck head-on into the patrol vehicle, leading to an officer-involved shooting. Murphy then abandoned the truck and fled on foot despite repeated commands to stop.
Deputies later found Murphy hiding inside a chicken coop at a nearby residence, where he was taken into custody.
Investigators say the domestic violence incident began the night before after Murphy, who his wife said had been awake for three to four days while using methamphetamine and fentanyl, became enraged after tripping over a storage tote he had placed on the floor. The affidavit states Murphy confronted his wife, pushed his forehead against hers, called her a derogatory name, and shoved her head backward, causing her glasses to press into her face.
The following morning, Murphy allegedly became angry again while searching for nicotine pouches, throwing items throughout the home and yelling. Fearing another attack, the victim fled the residence and called 911 while Murphy drove away.
After his arrest, Murphy was transported to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment before speaking with detectives. According to the affidavit, Murphy admitted he had used methamphetamine the night before and acknowledged seeing the marked sheriff’s patrol vehicle. Investigators say Murphy told detectives he thought, “Fuck it, ima roll with it,” before intentionally driving head-on into the deputy’s truck because he knew he was going to jail.
Murphy has been charged with:
• Attempted Second-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer (F2)
• Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F1)
• Domestic Violence Battery (M1)
• Resisting an Officer with Violence (F3)
• Resisting an Officer Without Violence (M1)
The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force. Murphy was previously reported to have suffered a graze wound during the incident. No deputies were injured. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE & ARREST AFFIDAVIT
