CHARLIE CHRISTOPHER BATES
… Killed During Shootout with Police

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

?The hunt for an armed home invasion suspect ended Friday afternoon with a police chase, shootout and the suspect being killed. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Charlie Christopher Bates, of Lakeland, died at approximately 1:21 p.m., Friday afternoon.
?According to police, an officer observed a vehicle being driven by the suspect. The suspect observed the police car following him. The suspect then began leading police on a chase that reached 80 miles per hour. When Bates reached the area of U. S. Highway 301 and Harney Road, he allegedly began shooting through the rear window of the vehicle he was driving.
?Police began firing back and Bates lost control of the vehicle and spun across U. S. 301, where he allegedly continued firing shots and police returned the gunfire. More than 100 rounds were exchanged between Bates and the officers. The chase ended around 12:40 p.m., and transported to a local hospital, where he died.
?Bates is accused of committing at least three home invasions in the University of South Florida area. Around 11 p.m., a woman reported to police that a man broke into her apartment and ordered her to undress. The woman began praying and Bates fled the scene with personal property.
?He is alleged to have continued to another apartment, where four men and four women were located. He is said to have bound the men with duck tape and sexually assaulted all four women.
?As police were investigating the reported crimes, they heard shots fired in the area. Upon investigation, deputies learned that an armed suspect had entered an apartment where about 25 people were located and ordered them on the ground. He is alleged to have fired at least one shot before fleeing the scene.
?Police began chasing the armed suspect, but lost him. The area was locked down, including several schools in the area.
?On Friday morning, the investigation continued. Police said Bates had changed his clothes and cut his dredlocks in an effort to change his appearance. However, he was recognized by a member of the U. S. Marshal’s Task Force.
?The investigation is continuing.