Lakeland Police Press Release
LAKELAND, FL (April 2, 2023) – On Sunday, April 2, 2023, Lakeland Police arrested 28-year-old Calvin Jordan Sousa, charging him with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder in connection with a shooting that took place earlier in the morning. At approximately 2:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to the McDonald’s located at 5325 Frontage Road in reference to a fight between two adult males. While officers were en route, dispatchers received updates from the reportee that shots had been fired.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a minivan in the roadway directly in front of the restaurant. Inside the vehicle, officers found a 28-year-old female, who had been shot multiple times, and a 34-year-old male rendering aid. The female was transported to Lakeland Regional Health in stable condition with serious injuries, and the male declined medical treatment at the scene for a minor injury. The suspect had fled the location in a white-colored vehicle.
Officers were told that prior to the shooting, the victims were in the drive-thru line waiting for their order, which had been delayed due to an error. The suspect, in line behind the victims, became upset and began honking the horn and yelling. Both the male victim and the suspect got out of their vehicles and engaged in a physical fight. After a brief fight, both returned to their vehicles. As the vehicles began to leave the parking lot, the suspect pulled up to the passenger’s side of the victims’ minivan and fired multiple shots into the vehicle.
Through witness statements and evidence at the scene, officers identified the suspect’s vehicle, tracking it to a residence in Highland City. The registered owner of the vehicle was confirmed to be Calvin Sousa. Witnesses at the shooting scene also confirmed Sousa as the suspect. Lakeland Police, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to make contact with the Sousa at the residence. Sousa initially refused to exit the home, barricading himself inside. Eventually, Sousa did exit the home and was taken into custody. Sousa is charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Shooting Into An Occupied Vehicle, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Improper Exhibit of a Firearm.
The names of the victims are being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law.
