Prosecutors to seek death penalty against accused killer of Lakeland police officer

BARTOW, Fla. - Prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty against a 19-year-old accused of killing a Lakeland police officer.

Kyle Williams appeared in court on Thursday and, at one point, was seen waving to family members who were inside the courtroom.

Prosecutors also plan to re-file paperwork in Williams' case so the charges include the wording "murder of a law enforcement officer." Williams is charged with premeditated first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Officer Arnulfo Crispin

Crispin was shot one time in the head on December 18 after stopping a group of teenagers in a Lakeland park. He later died from his injuries.

In interviews with detectives, those teenagers described how a friendly Crispin asked them several questions before asking to search them.

One teenager said Crispin asked "What ya'll doing out here?" and if they had "seen anybody 'round here doing crazy things."

The teens said Crispin searched several of them, and was about to search Williams when he pulled a gun then pulled the trigger.

"Kyle killed him... he did it," one teenage witness told police.

Williams turned himself in hours after the shooting. His parents helped negotiate his surrender.

Williams next court hearing is scheduled for May 17.