The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred last evening in Lake Wales.
According to the preliminary investigation so far, 21-year-old Vincent Thomas, Jr., and at least three others drove to a residence on Northside Drive in Lake Wales around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Thomas got out of the car armed with a handgun, and confronted a 20-year-old male outside the residence, threatening to shoot him.
The two men went to Lake Wales High together, knew each other, and apparently had some disagreement with each other.
During the altercation, the resident who was confronted by Thomas armed himself with a rifle and shot at Thomas several times, striking him at least twice. The shooter remained at the scene and is cooperating with detectives.
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