The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Arnold Sterling, DOB: 7/09/1958 for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Shooting Into A Building & Discharge of A Firearm In Residential Neighborhood. The incident occurred in a Davenport neighborhood near where Sterling lived.
The following is a long exerpt from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted 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. Certain names of witnesses or victims may be redacted) :
“On 10/29/23 I as directed to respond to the residence located at REDACTED in reference to a reported shooting of a person.
I made contact with Officer Rodrigues (H1657) of the Haines City Police Department, he briefed me on his findings. I learned on 10/29 at approximately 0555 hours, Arnold Gene Sterling observed a black male, later identified as REDACTED to be reaching into the front driver’s side door of REDACTED vehicle, which is a white Toyota Camry . The vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence located at REDACTED. Surveillance footage shows Sterling exit the front door of the residence and shout “halt” several times at REDACTED. REDACTED fled the scene on foot, and Sterling chased him. As Sterling chased REDACTED Sterling fired approximately five shots from a pistol in REDACTED directions. REDACTED was struck by one round which entered right flank and did not exit REDACTED’s torso.
Multiple surveillance camera angles were located within the dense residential area. Footage depicted REDACTED running from Sterling instantly upon contact with one another. At no point did I observe REDACTED be armed, or posing any kind of threat to Sterling.
One of the rounds fired by Sterling struck the residence located at REDACTED, pierced the garage door, and was located inside of the residence. REDACTED was inside of the home during this incident. REDACTED was not injured.
I learned REDACTED fled to the residence located at REDACTED where REDACTED was vacationing with family. REDACTED ran into the home to an upstairs bathroom where he collapsed and called out to his REDACTED & REDACTED.
I conducted a sworn recorded interview with REDACTED. REDACTED stated REDACTED observed
REDACTED to be naked and holding a towel over an apparent gunshot wound. REDACTED told REDACTED he was shot unprovoked by a male who walked out of his front door.
REDACTED stated REDACTED was able to see a blood trail and bloody handprints within the home. REDACTED stated after about a ten minute time period in the home, REDACTED transported REDACTED to Heart of Florida Hospital with REDACTED vehicle, a dark grey Chevrolet equinox bearing FL tag #REDACTED.
REDACTED sustained life threatening injuries, and was transferred to Lakeland Regional Health. REDACTED is currently in critical condition and is unable to be interviewed.
Through my investigation I determined Arnold Sterling fired REDACTED weapon toward REDACTED with intent to kill him. Sterling fired a deadly missile into an occupied residence, and unlawfully discharged a firearm within a residential area.”
Sterling is currently out on bond and the victim ( name currently isn’t being released under Marsy’s Law as he is a victim) did survive the shooting, but will be charged with 3 counts of burglary and 1 count of petty theft ( when this does occur we will get the name from PCSO).
According to Brian Bruchey , PIO PCSO, “Stand your ground or castle doctrine doesn’t apply when there is no threat, and in this case, the burglar took no threatening action and was running away. Therefore Sterling was not in danger.”
