LAKE WALES – What began as a celebration turned into a tense law enforcement situation on Saturday night, June 14, when Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of gunfire at a residence on Tiger Lake Road near Lake Wales.
Deputies were called to the scene around 8:00 p.m. after a man reportedly became upset and began firing rounds into the ground during the gathering.
The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Jacinto Castillo of Lake Wales. When deputies arrived, they saw Castillo standing on the front porch and ordered him to approach them. Instead, he fled into the home.
Deputies then worked to remove a woman and several children from the house, guiding them to safety while continuing to attempt de-escalation with Castillo. After a period of noncompliance, Castillo ultimately surrendered without further incident.
Authorities recovered a handgun and an AR-15 rifle from the residence.
Castillo was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. He faces multiple charges including:
Improper Exhibition of a Firearm Culpable Negligence Exposing Others to Harm Resisting Without Violence (two counts)
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not reported any injuries stemming from the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
