The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has served an arrest warrant for Gavin Chase Potwin and charged him with Attempted First Degree Murder . This all stemmed from an incident over a week ago near Rancho Bonito Park in Lakeland. According to reports Potwin shot into a vehicle occupied with multiple victims.
Here is a excerpt of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit:
“On 02/07/2024, I was requested to respond to REDACTED in Zephyrhills, FL in reference to a dangerous shooting complaint. Upon my arrival, I made contact with (Victim 1), (Victim 2), and (Victim 3). I spoke with Victim 1. He advised that during the late evening on 02/06/2024, he was at Rancho Bonito, which is located at 44300 Highway 54 in Lakeland, FL. As he was leaving, he was seated in the rear driver side seat and Victim 2 was seated in the front passenger seat and Victim 3 was driving the vehicle. He observed a subject who he recognized as the defendant approaching his vehicle while riding a four wheeler. Victim 1 exited the vehicle to speak with him since they are friends. As Victim 1 exited the vehicle, he walked to the back of the truck to speak with the defendant. Once he got to the rear of the truck, he observed the defendant point a tan pistol at his face and state “You think I’m playing with you pussy” before pointing it towards Victim 1 feet and fired a round. At that point, Victim 1 stated that he was in fear for his life and began to run back to the rear driver side door. Before he was able to re-enter the truck, he heard approximately four more gunshots as he was running. After fleeing the scene, Victim 1 messaged the defendant and advised him that he was going to jail. After being told that, the defendant messaged Victim 1 back and asked him if he keyed his truck and kicked his valve stem, indicating that is what he was upset about and started the altercation.
I spoke with Victim 2. She advised that as the Victims were leaving, she observed a subject who she identified as the defendant approaching on a four wheeler and that Victim 1 exited the vehicle to speak with him since they are friends. Victim 2 was seated in the front passenger seat and heard a gunshot before immediately looking out of the window. After looking out of the window, she observed the defendant holding a pistol and firing it towards Victim 1 before he was able to re-enter the vehicle so they could leave the area.
I spoke with Victim 3, he advised that he was driving the vehicle towards the exit of Rancho Bonito while Victim 1 was seated in the rear driver seat and Victim 2 was seated in the front passenger seat. As they were approaching the exit, he observed the defendant approach the vehicle on a four wheeler and begin to circle the truck, indicating that the defendant observed that there were multiple subjects inside of the vehicle. Victim 3 stated that Victim 1 exited the vehicle to speak with the defendant. After Victim 1 exited the vehicle, Victim 3 heard multiple gun shots before Victim 1 re-entered their vehicle and they fled the scene.
After I arrived on scene, I observed a 2003 green Chevrolet truck bearing FL tag #BZ22NM. The rear passenger side tire was flat from where a bullet struck the tire. I also observed a bullet hole in front of the rear wheel well on the driver side. From where the bullets struck the vehicle, it seems as if the defendant was shooting towards Victim 1 as he was running along the opposite side of the vehicle.
The defendant acted with intention to kill and thought out the way to kill the victim. The action by shooting at a vehicle that was occupied by the victim would have killed them, due to missing the victim, he failed to do so. The defendant had the intent to commit the murder due to bringing the weapon with him to confront the victim. The defendant also had the opportunity to reconsider his actions, but still proceeded to carry out the act.”
Potwin is currently being held without bail on the attempted murder charge.
