Car Gun Battle Kills 1, Critically Injures 3 In Winter Haven

Lakeland FL

31 January, 2022

8:12 AM

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WINTER HAVEN, FL — A 20-year-old man was killed, and several others were critically injured in a gun battle between two cars in Winter Haven Sunday morning, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. The 20-year-old man was fatally shot eight times in a Toyota Camry driven by a 26-year-old man, Sheriff Grady Judd said. The 26-year-old was shot eight times. Two 17-year-olds were also in the car. One of the teenagers was shot about eight times, and the other teen was shot twice, Judd said. Following a night at a local bowling alley, the 26-year-old drove out of the parking lot just before 1:13 a.m. with a 20-year-old and two 17-year-olds. They drove toward Maring Luther King Boulevard in a light-colored Toyota Camry just outside Winter Haven. At some point on this stretch of road, a dark-colored car with two men began following them, Judd said. A shootout began with shots being fired from both cars at the intersection of Buckeye Loop and MLK Boulevard, according to the sheriff. He pointed to pictures of the Camry with bullet holes in a news conference broadcast by WFLA and said that some of the holes were entry and some were exit. "They had a running gun battle," Judd said. Polk County Sheriff's Office's aviation unit found a third car in the area following the shooting. Winter Haven Police responded to the third car, and during the chase, two people jumped out. The driver got away. Deputies later found that car on Avenue G in Winter Haven engulfed in flames. Officers arrested the two people who jumped out of the car on charges that have not yet been released. A handgun was found on one of the two who are in custody. A gun was also found strapped on the dead 20-year-old, Judd said. Judd said it's not clear if these two people have any connection to the overnight shooting. No identities have been released of the suspects or victims yet.