The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 46 year old Lake Wales man for attempted murder Tuesday evening.
The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.) :
“On October 29, 2024, per supervision’s request, I responded to REDACTED in Lake Wales, Florida about a dangerous shooting.
I contacted the victim, REDACTED, who advised he was operating his dirt bike eastbound on Lighthouse Ave toward his residence when he observed the suspect, Raul Mojica, walking from Raul’s residence at 4575 Lighthouse Ave and attempting to wave the victim down. The victim stated the suspect had something long and black tucked under his arm as he approached the roadway. The victim did not stop and continued eastbound to his residence located at REDACTED. As he passed the residence located at 4575 Lighthouse Ave, the victim felt a sharp pain in his back. The victim returned home and notified his parents of the incident. The victim had numerous welts with broken skin with slight bleeding. The victim’s shirt had numerous holes in it also. The victim was treated by Polk County Emergency Medical Services and released on scene for minor injuries.
The victim and his family responded to 4570 Lighthouse Ave and observed the suspect in the roadway with a black Stevens, model 320, 12 gauge shotgun. The suspect walked to the gate of his property and put the firearm through a slot. The victim’s father secured the firearm until law enforcement arrived on the scene.
The suspect was taken into custody and was advised of his Miranda Rights via an agency-issued Miranda Warning card.
Post Miranda, the suspect stated while on his private property, he accidentally discharged his firearm in an attempt to scare his dogs. The suspect stated the firearm was pointed in a southern direction toward the ground. He denied firing the firearm in the roadway or towards the victim.
A red 12-gauge casing was found in the roadway in front of the suspect’s residence. Approximately 20 yards east of the casing was wadding from the projectile, and approximately 20 yards east of the wadding, a plastic cap from the projectile was located.
Through the investigation, it was determined probable cause existed to file criminal charges against the suspect, Raul Mojica, for the following Florida State Statute violations:
F.S.S. 782.04*., Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm (FL), the defendant willfully and intentionally entered the roadway and discharged a firearm at the victim, striking him with the projectile and causing injury.
F.S.S. 790.15(4)., Discharge Firearm in Residential Area (M1), the defendant entered the roadway and discharged his firearm while in a residentially zoned area.
F.S.S. 790.10., Unlawful Display of a Firearm (M1), the defendant willfully and intentionally display a firearm publicly.”
