LAKELAND FL March 7 2021 On Sunday March 7 2021 at 625 am the Lakeland Police Department LPD received a call requesting officers to respond to the 5400 block of Quarry Rock Road related to a disturbance involving a man with a gun Three uniform patrol officers responded to the location inside the Cobblestone Landing Townhomes property
As officers arrived on the scene they observed a man with a handgun and a woman standing outside the residence in the parking area As the female turned toward the direction of one of the officers the suspect pointed his gun and shot the female victim Officer Brent Behrens immediately returned fire shooting the suspect Officers began rendering aid to both the suspect and victim while awaiting emergency medical professionals to arrive Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to also provide life saving measures The shooting suspect 35 year old Howayne T Gayle was pronounced deceased at the scene and the gun he possessed was recovered The 37 year old female shooting victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Sadly despite the best efforts of medical professionals she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital
Detectives have since learned that the victim and Gayle had been in a romantic relationship prior to a recent break up Gayle came to the townhome this morning and broke into the residence after he was not allowed entry into the home Inside the home were the victim and her 19 year old daughter The victim went outside the residence with Gayle where officers found them upon arriving at the scene
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Laura Dunn at 8638346974 or lauradunnlakelandgovnet To remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida call 1 800 226 TIPS 8477 dial TIPS from your cell phone visit the website wwwheartlandcrimestopperscom and click on Submit A Tip or download the free P3tips app on your smartphone or tablet
The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsys Law
Standard protocol for all officer involved shootings will include two independent investigations The LPD Violent Crimes unit will conduct an investigation of the shooting LPDs Office of Professional Standards will also conduct an administrative review The results of these investigations will be forwarded to the State Attorneys Office for review Per agency protocol Ofc Behrens will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation
The officers who responded to the scene are Brent Behrens a 3 year veteran of LPD Officer Kenneth Jones a 55 year veteran of LPD and Officer Doris Diaz a 19 year veteran of LPD
