Haines City, FL – The Haines City Police Department terminated its contract with body camera vendor LensLock Inc. on September 30, 2025, due to equipment failures and non-delivery of contracted features, according to a statement released by the department. As a result, at the time of the officer-involved shooting on October 26, 2025, the Department did not have functioning body-worn or in-car cameras in service.
The incident occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. near Avenue I and 12th Street North.
Haines City Police Officer Joseph Elam, an 11-year veteran, initiated the stop on a dark-colored pickup truck for displaying no license plate. Officer Ryan Hamilton arrived as backup and positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the suspect’s truck.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, when Officer Hamilton exited his vehicle, the driver, identified as Louivens Ceus, 24, of Haitian origin, accelerated in reverse, then drove forward directly at Hamilton. Officer Hamilton fired his service weapon, striking Ceus.
Ceus continued driving a short distance before veering off the road and crashing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bullet holes were located in the front of the vehicle. A methamphetamine pipe was recovered inside the truck. Marijuana was found in Ceus’s pocket. A medical marijuana card, believed to be stolen, was also located in the vehicle.
Investigators determined the truck had been stolen. Originally white, it had been spray-painted black. The registered owner reported selling the vehicle approximately one year prior, but title transfer was not completed. A subsequent custodian confirmed the vehicle was stolen while in his possession.
Ceus had a prior criminal history, including a 2021 hit-and-run crash in Davenport while driving without a license and a charge of domestic battery by strangulation. He was on probation at the time of the incident and had violated its terms, making him a fugitive.
In a statement released by the Haines City Police Department, the city is finalizing an agreement with a new vendor that will provide a more reliable and comprehensive system for both body-worn and in-car video, ensuring that officers are properly equipped and the community continues to benefit from transparent policing practices.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Nothing further at this time.
Source: Haines City Police Public Information Officer & The Polk County Sheriff’s Office
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