POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Three teenagers have been arrested for attempted murder after a drive-by shooting took place in unincorporated Winter Haven earlier this week, deputies say.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, detectives arrested 19-year-old Tyrone Berry of Haines City, a 17-year-old from Haines City (his identity will not be released since he is a minor), and 18-year-old Deshawn Williams of Winter Haven on Wednesday for charges stemming from a drive-by shooting that happened near Fern Road and Maggie Circle.
Tyrone Berry (19), Deshawn Williams (18) — Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Detectives say 22-year-old Kevin Marcel and three others were in front of a home in the area when a stolen back Infiniti slowly drove past. According to witnesses, the people in the car were wearing ski masks.
Soon thereafter, around 7:50 p.m., the sheriff’s office said the Infiniti returned and drove toward the home again, this time, a passenger began firing a rifle out of the rear passenger side window.
Deputies say Marcel fired his gun at the car. The Infiniti fled the scene and side-swiped a parked car before crashing at the intersection of Fern Road and Maggie Circle.
A release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the three suspects in the car fled from the crash, however, were soon found and arrested.
The driver of the stolen car, Williams, was taken to a local hospital with two gunshot wounds, one to his right knee and one to his right foot, according to deputies. He had no life-threatening injuries and was treated, released from the hospital, and later booked into the Polk County Jail.
The back seat passenger, Berry, was also taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his hip. He was admitted and is in stable condition.
Deputies say the front seat passenger, the 17-year-old from Haines City, as well as Marcel and the other victims at the home were uninjured.
VIEW SHERIFF GRADY JUDD’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER BELOW:
During an investigation, the sheriff’s office says detectives found multiple bullet casings around the home and the crashed Infiniti.
Judd says the Infiniti was stolen during a carjacking incident that took place earlier that morning at the Tampa Truck Stop on U.S. Hwy 301 in Hillsborough County where the suspect was wearing a mask.
A Smith and Wesson semi-automatic 22 caliber rifle was also found from the neighborhood. Detectives believe this was the rifle used by one of the suspects in the stolen Infiniti. The rifle had been reported stolen out of Highlands County.
“I am proud of my detectives for their work in getting these violent gang members off the street. I want to send a strong message to the community: this kind of violence will not be tolerated in Polk County. We will continue to do everything possible to keep our residents safe.,” Judd said.
Deputies say Marcel was also arrested for possession of a firearm.
The sheriff said this incident is one in a series of violent events between two gangs, one from the Winter Haven area and the other from the Haines City area. The incidents, 16 in total, have taken place from March to May.
Below are the charges for the three teenagers arrested:
- Tyrone Berry, 19: 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm in a vehicle, grand theft of a vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, armed burglary of a vehicle.
- 17-year-old from Winter Haven: 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm in a vehicle, grand theft of a vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, armed burglary of a vehicle.
- Deshawn Williams, 18: 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder, discharging a firearm in a vehicle, grand theft of a vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, armed burglary of a vehicle, and violation of probation.
