Last night, the Lake Wales man was arrested on a charge of attempted murder after a shooting sent a man to the hospital.
The following is a press release issued by the Lake Wales Police Department:
“On August 28, 2024, at 11:14 P.M., Lake Wales Police officers responded to a dangerous shooting in the 100 block of W. Park Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the victim, an adult male, laying in the alleyway with a gunshot wound to his chest. Officers quickly rendered aid until EMS arrived. The victim was airlifted to a trauma center and is currently in critical condition.
“Officers and deputies established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect. With the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, their K9 team and witnesses providing information, the suspect was located on Wetmore Street, just one block from the crime scene. He was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was identified as Terrence Mathis, a 33-year-old Lake Wales resident. Detectives learned an argument had takenplace between the victim and Mathis moments before he was shot. This was an isolated incident and there was no direct threat to the public.
“Mathis was charged with attempted first degree murder and is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.
“This remains an active investigation. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Lake Wales Police at 863-678-4223. If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS.
“You can also visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet to submit a tip.”
