Bartow, Florida – At approximately 3:00 PM on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, the Bartow Police Department responded to a report of an injured person in the area of U.S. Hwy 17 South and MLK, Jr. Blvd.
During the investigation it was discovered that a black male, later identified as Shalamar Deshaw Moore, had been shot and was later declared deceased. Upon further investigation, the location of the incident was determined to be, on 9th Street. Later that evening Devante Lamar Lawson (DOB: 10/14/1997) turned himself in to law enforcement.
Here is an excerpt of the 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) :
“ On Monday, October 17, 2022, Devante Lamar Lawson shot the Victim while the Victim was inside a vehicle. The Victim was transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
During the investigation, the following information was learned. On Monday, October 17, 2022, at approximately 1200 hours, a Angela Latrice Box made contact via text message with Lawson requesting his assistance in an attempt to locate her vehicle in the City of Bartow. Lawson met with Angela Latrice Box at Box’ residence, on Lakewood Road, Lakeland Florida. Upon meeting, Box explained to Lawson that the Victim, who is an on/off boyfriend relationship, had been very abusive since Friday, October 14, 2022 when, after a physical altercation between the Victim and Box, the Victim took Box‘s vehicle against her will. On Sunday, October 16, 2022, the Victim met with
Box at her residence causing further arguments and a physical altercation in regards to the Victim returning the vehicle to Box. During this argument, the Victim took Box’s vehicle again and also took Box’s cellular phone. After Box explained the recent events to Lawson, Lawson agreed to assist Box in finding her vehicle. Prior to leaving Box’s residence, Box asked Lawson if he had his firearm on him to which Lawson confirmed he had the firearm on
him.
Lawson and Box drove through the City of Bartow looking at locations where the Victim frequents. At
approximately 1400 hours, they located Box’ vehicle parked on 9th Avenue South, Bartow Florida. Box approached the residence and met with a resident at the above address. Box asked if the Victim was there, to which the resident advised the Victim had left with unknown subjects.
At approximately 1420 hours, the Victim exited the residence and engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with Box. After Box requested several times to the Victim to return the keys, the Victim refused, eventually making his way towards Box’ vehicle. As Box blocked the driver side door, the Victim went around the vehicle and entered it via the front passenger door. Once the Victim was inside the vehicle, Box continued to plea with
the Victim not to take the vehicle. The Victim started the vehicle and as he was changing gears, Lawson brandished his firearm from his waistband and told twice to the Victim not to leave. As the Victim started to leave, Lawson discharged his firearm approximately two times.
During a Post Miranda interview with Lawson, he confirmed all of the above facts further stating he legally purchased the firearm and although he did not have a conceal carry weapon permit, he always carries the firearm with him. Furthermore. Box knows that he always has his firearm on him. Lawson indicated that when he discharged the fircarm, he thought Box was standing in front of the vehicle.
During a Post-Miranda interview with Box, she initially stated she was alone on 9th Avenue South, and did not know who had shot towards the Victim. She maintained her statement for two more occasions, denying Lawson was at the scene or knowing who shot at the Victim. After Box was confronted with Lawson’s statement, Box stated she did ask Lawson to bring his firearm with him, in case the Victim -who is known to carry a firearm-
would brandish his firearm. Box then admitted she was standing on the driver side door -near the driver side rear view mirror- as the Victim was leaving in the vehicle, and saw Lawson shoot into the vehicle towards the Victim.
During Lawson’s interview, he also advised that after the shooting took place, he left the area, walked to a nearby fast food restaurant, where he called an acquaintance asking for a ride. This acquaintance drove him to his residence, on Lawndale Road, Lakeland, where Lawson took a bath and changed his clothes. Soon thereafter,
several family members arrived at the residence inquiring about what had occurred. After he explained to his family what had happened they assisted him in turning himself in. The family members drove Lawson to the City of Bartow where he made contact with law enforcement at the intersection of Wabash Street E and 9th Ave South in Bartow. Upon turning himself in, he also provided the firearm he used during the incident.
It should be noted that the ammunition collected from the firearm, matched the two spent casings collected on 9th Avenue South, Bartow. It should also be noted that the clothes Lawson advised he was wearing, was later collected near Lawson’s residence.
Based on this investigation, I determined that Lawson violated FSS 782.04 Second Degree Murder with a weapon, FSS 790.19 Shooting into an occupied vehicle, and FSS 918.13 Tamper with evidence.
