Poinciana, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men and charged them with attempted murder. Another unidentified suspect is also being sought and was involved in an incident that occurred on October 15, 2022 at a 7 Eleven on Marigold Avenue.
The following is an excerpt from the arrest affidavits of Renel Joseph Jr and Racious Thomas. (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the law enforcement. 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 October 15, 2022 at approximately 2200 hours, the suspect, Renel Joseph Jr, traveled to the 7-Eleven gas station located at 6519 Marigold Ave, Poinciana in his 2006 blue Honda SUV bearing FL tag DHQV25 with Racious Thomas (passenger) with the intention of selling a half ounce of cannabis (approximately 14 grams). The victim, REDACTED, traveled to the 7-Eleven in a white 4 door vehicle with the intention of purchasing cannabis. According to both Racious Thomas and REDACTED victim was not content with the cost or amount of cannabis to purchase. During the course of the narcotics sale, REDACTED walked to the white 4 door and minutes later the white 4 door pulled behind the blue SUV. REDACTED exited the vehicle and approached the blue SUV again on the driver’s side. An unidentified suspect also approached with REDACTED on the passenger side of the vehicle.After a few seconds, both REDACTED and the unidentified male suspect ran from the blue SUV. According to REDACTED the subjects in the blue SUV pulled out a handgun and began shooting at him. The unidentified subject then began shooting back at the occupants of the vehicle.
REDACTED suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand. Racious Thomas suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand, and a grazing gunshot wound to his right cheek. Both were admitted into Osceola Regional Medical Center for care and possible surgery.
Renel Joseph Ir was located sitting in the driver seat of his vehicle, blue 2006 Honda Pilot bearing FL tag DHQV25, in the parking lot of the Poinciana Medical Center, after dropping off Racious Thomas. The vehicle had bullet holes in the doors on the right side, the right side windows and rear window were shattered, which is consistent with the glass found at the scene. In plain view, a red duffel bag was visible on the passenger seat. The zipper was partially opened and a handgun magazine was observed inside the bag. Burns and stippling were observed around a bullet hole on the right side pillar directly behind the front passenger seat where the passenger clearly discharged a firearm towards the direction of the subjects from the white 4 door. Spent shell casings were visible inside the vehicle as well.
Multiple 9mm shell casings of different brands were located in the area behind the blue SUV. Multiple 40 caliber shell casings were located along the pathway the blue SUV took fleeing the gunshots. Renel Joseph Jr knowingly drove to the 7-Eleven for the purpose of selling cannabis, which is a felony. During the act of the felony, a shootout erupted between the two parties which injured two subjects. Rounds struck a support pole for the gas station, a gas pump, and the overhang of the station. The shootout had the possibility of causing
death or great bodily harm to both subjects involved in the cannabis deal or the general public. Multiple customers at the 7-Eleven were observed running from the scene as gunfire erupted at the pumps. After the shooting, Joseph made no attempt to alert law enforcement and attempted to conceal the incident. As deputies located Joseph in his vehicle, he attempted to leave the parking lot before contact was made. Upon making contact with deputies, Joseph confirmed firearms were present in a red duffel bag on the passenger seat.
Probable cause exists to charge the suspect, Renel Joseph Jr, with attempted felony murder in vielation of F.S.S. 782.051(2). Joseph was arrested and transported to Polk County Jail without incident.
Probable cause exists to charge the suspect, Racious Thomas, with attempted felony murder in violation of F.S.S. 782.051(2), possession of cannabis over 20g, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, obliterating a firearm serial number, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and culpable negligence. Thomas was arrested and transported to Polk County Jail without incident.”
