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News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
May 13, 2025
Driver fatally shot, bicyclist fatally struck by out-of-control car in Lakeland
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
On Monday, May 12, 2025, at around 1:30 pm, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a home on Pirates Way in Lakeland, following a report of a car striking a residence.
When deputies arrived in the Secret Cove neighborhood just off of Reynolds Road, they found a white 2019 Mercedes completely inside of a bedroom.
First responders found that the driver in the car was deceased with a gunshot wound, and discovered there was also a man under the car who was also deceased.
The driver was identified as 19-year old Davin Boutwell of Mulberry.
The victim under the car was identified as 38-year old Nathaniel Jones of Lakeland.
As the investigation began, PCSO detectives spoke with witnesses and collected evidence and video from nearby security cameras.
Two bags of marijuana and a large stack of cash were discovered in the Mercedes.
"We suspect that the driver was shot while participating in a drug transaction. We know that one person was the trigger man, and we know that others were involved. At this stage in the investigation, tit seems that the gentleman who was hit by the car was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
Prior to the shooting, Mr. Jones was riding an electric bicycle on Pirates Way when he was run over by the Mercedes.
The investigation is ongoing.