Lake Wales, Florida – Authorities have detained three individuals following a fatal shooting that took place during a dispute in Polk County on Tuesday. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred around 7 p.m. when Vincent Thomas Jr., 21, and several others arrived at a residence on Northside Drive.
Reports indicate that Thomas Jr. exited the vehicle armed with a handgun to confront a 20-year-old man outside the residence, allegedly making threats. The 20-year-old, described as a resident of the home and former schoolmate of Thomas, armed himself with a rifle and fired multiple shots at Thomas, striking him at least twice.
The individuals accompanying Thomas rushed him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Two of them were subsequently arrested for tampering with evidence and providing false information during the investigation. The resident who fired the rifle stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities before being taken into custody.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that an ongoing investigation is underway, urging anyone with information to come forward. Details on the case and any updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Authorities also encouraged individuals with information about the incident to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers for additional details or tips to aid in the investigation.