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An Argument Leads To Suspect Being Arrested And Charged With 7 Counts Of Attempted Murder In North East Polk

Carl Fish
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An Argument Leads To Suspect Being Arrested And Charged With 7 Counts Of Attempted Murder In North East Polk

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Eugene Beltran Miranda, DOB: 3/25/49, of Kissimmee after an argument, over grass clippings, lead to one victim being run over by a truck and 6 more counts of attempted murder by gunfire.

Here is a unedited, but redacted excerpt of the arrest affidavit.

It should be noted that this is an unedited 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 conclusions.:

“On 09/03/23, at approximately 1330 hours, Eugene Beltran Miranda approached REDACTED who cutting the lawn at the residence of REDACTED Cimarron Drive, Kissimmee, which is adjacent to his back yard.

Miranda did not like the grass cuttings were being blown on his property. A verbal argument between the two men occurred. Miranda returned to his residence and REDACTED finishing cutting the grass to the residence.

Miranda entered his 2006 Ford pickup truck with Florida license plate# LQHS18 parked in his driveway at his residence located at REDACTED Columbia Drive, Kissimmee and drove his vehicle to the next adjacent street where REDACTED pickup truck and utility trailer were parked in front of his residence located at REDACTED Cimarron Drive, Kissimmee.

Miranda intentionally and unlawfully drove his vehicle at REDACTED, striking REDACTED and driving over his leg as he was standing in the front yard of residence REDACTED Cimarron Drive. Miranda stopped his vehicle from hitting a mailbox and backed up his pickup truck. As this was happening, REDACTED stood up, ran to where his pickup truck and utility traller were parked in front of his residence. As REDACTED Jumped over the tongue section of the trailer, Miranda was accelerating his pickup truck attempting to hit REDACTED again with his pickup truck.

Miranda crashed his pickup truck into the victim’s white pickup truck and utility trailer. The crash disabled Miranda’s pickup truck and he was not able to move forward or back.

REDACTED retrieve a baseball bat from the bed of bis pickup truck and struck the windshield of Miranda’s pickup truck causing a section shatter. Miranda exited his pickup truck and fled to his residence retrieving his Ruger 9MM handgun. REDACTED struck the driver’s side window shattering it with his baseball bat. REDACTED retrieved his weed trimmer to continue finishing his job for his neighbor.

REDACTED had exited her residence observing her husband being ran over by Miranda’s pickup truck. Her three children REDACTED, REDACTED, & REDACTED were standing by the front entrance of the door. An unknown subject bicycling by the residence yelled to REDACTED a man was coming with a gun. REDACTED yelled for her husband REDACTED to return to the residence. At the same time, REDACTED (another victim) arrived at the residence and stood at the entrance way.

All three subjects, REDACTED, REDACTED and REDACTED provided sworn recorded statement stating they observed Miranda raise a handgun at them and began firing the handgun. REDACTED and REDACTED stated when they observed the gun raised they fled into their house grabbing their children as they entered and as they closed the door they heard gun fire. REDACTED and REDACTED stated once inside the residence they laid on the ground with their children and crawled to the back area of the residence. REDACTED stated he hide behind the front porch column and could hear the bullets passing him. REDACTED stated at one point he thought he was struck by the bullet but realized it was the debris from the house which had landed on his head and shoulder area.

Miranda discharged his firearm numerous times at the front entrance to the residence of REDACTED Cimarron drive.

PCSO Crime scene located 8 strikes to the front entrance area. Three bullet projectiles struck the front door entering the residence. Two bullet projectiles struck the column which REDACTED was hiding behind and three bulletin projectiles struck around the front door.

According to REDACTED, REDACTED and REDACTED stated they have had no prior issues or contact with Mirands prior to this incident.

Post Miranda, Eugene Miranda stated he only speaks Spanish and with the assistance of Deputy Hernandez. #9720 I conducted an interview. Miranda admitted to confronting REDACTED about grass cuttings being blown onte his property. Miranda stated during this confrontation with REDACTED, REDACTED struck him with weed trimmer. Miranda stated he then returmed to his house, entered his pickup truck and drove his pickup track to where REDACTED’s pickup truck and trailer were parked. Miranda stated he wanted to photograph the pickup truck and as he did this, REDACTED struck his truck with a baseball bat. Miranda stated this put him in fear so he struck REDACTED with his truck. Miranda stated he didn’t ram his pickup truck into the trailer or pickup.

Miranda stated he jumped out of his truck as it was driving towards them. Miranda stated as he was returning to his house he overheard someone say burn his truck. Miranda stated this caused him to decide to retrieve his handgun and return to the pickup truck. Miranda stated when he returned he pointed his handgun in the air and fired his handgun In order to scare the people at the house. Miranda admitted prior to this day he has had no dealings or interation with the victims.

Eugenes Beltran Miranda unlawfully and intentionally attempted to commit homicide (no weapon) by driving his vehicle at REDACTED, striking REDACTED and driving over him. This act was done against the victim’s will and placed the victim in fear of death. Miranda furthermore accelerated his vehicle at REDACTED and crashed into REDACTED pickup truck and utility trailer which he used as a barrier to protect himself from being struck.

Eugene Beltran Miranda unlawfully and intentionally discharged his Ruger 9mm handgun eight (8) times at six Individuals: REDACTED who all were standing in the residence entrance way and porch. This act was done against the victim’s will and placed all the adult victims in fear of death for themselves and their children.

The physical evidence shows the bullets were not discharged in the sky as described by Miranda but two struck the column where REDACTED was standing behind, three struck the front door entering the residence where REDACTED, REDACTED and their three children had retreated into the residence. Three bullets struck in the area of the front door. This act was attempted to commit homicide with a firearm.

Based on my investigation, violated Florida State Statue 782.04 Attempt to commit Homicide (no weapon)(1 count), 782.04 Attempt to commit Homicide (firearm)(6 counts) and 790.19 Shooting Deadly missile into occupied residence (8 counts),

Polk County Roads & Drainage Hosting Hiring Event September 14 In Auburndale

Allison
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Polk County Roads & Drainage Hosting Hiring Event September 14 In Auburndale

Polk County Government Florida

Polk County Roads & Drainage will be hosting a hiring event:

📅 Thursday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍 1701 Holt Road in Auburndale.

Available positions include Service Worker/Equipment Operator I, II and III. A CDL is required for each position.

For questions, please contact [email protected] or call (863) 410-0312.

hiring #CDL #recruitment

More Than 100 Cars Displayed at Car Show for Local Boy with AML

Staff Reporter
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More Than 100 Cars Displayed at Car Show for Local Boy with AML

More Than 100 Cars Displayed at Car Show for Local Boy with AML

by James Coulter

Nearly 100 cars showed up to participate at a show at Beef O’Brady’s in Lake Wales to support a young boy currently struggling with leukemia.

A local car crew, Diversified, organized the car show on Saturday to help raise proceeds for Luke Shaver, a 7-year-old boy in Bartow who has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Nearly 100 cars parked outside Beef O’Brady’s in Lake Wales to participate in the car show. Not only could attendees peruse the many bright and colorful vehicles, but they could also purchase raffles for door prizes from several dozen local businesses.

The fundraiser was the product of several local individuals. Cody McCain rented out the facility, while Shelby Torquemada organized the car show.

Erika Johnson has been close friends with Judith Dee, Luke’s mother. Both worked together at Hungry Howie’s, and both have been friends ever since. So, she was more than willing to help Judith and her family during their time of need, and she was impressed by the turnout.

“We did not know that this many people knew Luke and Judy but it’s great,” she said. “It is a little overwhelming, but it was great for Judy to get out of the house for a few hours and to see all the love and support for Luke.”

Cody McCain, who assisted with the event, found his expectations more than exceeded by the turnout. Seeing so many cars line up along Central Avenue to get into the eatery and the parking lot was nothing short of awe-inspiring, he said.

“It was amazing,” he said. “What has happened here, the amount of people who have shown up, the amount of people in the community who showed up, it is unbelievable….It has exceeded my expectations for sure. I thought it would be a good event. I never expected cars to be lined up all along Central Avenue.”

Earlier this month, Luke fell ill and was taken to Lakeland Hospital. Following some tests, he was transferred to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, where he was diagnosed with AML, a rare form of Leukemia that affects 700 people under the age of 20 each year.

A fundraiser was hosted last Saturday at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven, which raised more than $400. Another will be hosted at that location later this month on Sep. 30.

Judith Dee, his mother, has been more than grateful for the outpouring of support they received from the local community. Seeing so many people come together during a fundraiser to support her and her family is nothing short of a blessing, she said.

“The event has certainly been a huge turnout,” she said. “It has been a blessing. There have been so many ways to see everyone come together so quickly to help support Luke and we truly appreciate it with everything that we have in our hometown. It has blown our expectations. This is so much more than we could ever ask for.”

To learn more about how to assist Luke and his family during their time of need, visit the “Fight Like Luke” Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/820840626112959

Twenty Six Yr Old Man Killed In Three Vehicle Crash In Polk City

Carl Fish
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Twenty Six Yr Old Man Killed In Three Vehicle Crash In Polk City

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday evening, September 12, 2023 in Polk City.

 

Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:17 pm, to the crash on State Road 33 (Commonwealth Avenue), just west of Stevens Drive.

Upon their arrival, 26-year old Charles Vanduyn was found deceased in a beige 1998 Toyota Camry.

 

The other two drivers were identified as 51-year old Cindy Whittington in a silver 2012 Nissan Altima, and 34-year old Charlie Pickren III in a white 2008 Ford F150 pickup. They were both transported to a local hospital for treatment. Ms. Whittington suffered cuts and bruises. Mr. Pickren suffered a head laceration, and was said to be in stable condition.

 

All three of the drivers are from Polk City, and there were no passengers in any of the vehicles.

 

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations and Crime Scene Investigations units responded to the scene to collect evidence and witness statements.

 

At this point in the investigation, it was determined that Mr. Vanduyn’s Toyota was traveling south on SR 33, while Ms. Whittington’s Nissan was traveling north, with Mr. Pickren’s Ford traveling north behind the Nissan.

 

For an unknown reason, Mr. Vanduyn’s Toyota crossed the center line and struck the Nissan on the driver’s side near the rear. The Nissan spun out of control and came to a stop near the intersection.

 

After the initial impact, Mr. Vanduyn’s Toyota hit the Ford head-on, which caused Mr. Pickren to be ejected from the Ford, and the truck began to burn.

SR 33 was closed in both directions for about four hours. 

 

The investigation remains ongoing

Suspect Armed With Large Kitchen Knife Shot & Killed By Law Enforcement

Carl Fish
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Suspect Armed With Large Kitchen Knife Shot & Killed By Law Enforcement

Sheriff Grady Judd and Auburndale Police Chief Terry Storie briefed the media last night regarding an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Tuesday evening, September 12, 2023, at the entrance to the Westside Ridge neighborhood on Westside Ridge Blvd (cross street Berkley Rd) in the city of Auburndale.

Auburndale Police and PCSO deputies responded to an armed suspect, identified as 55-year-old Angelo Theodore Curcione (DOB 8/27/68) who has a lengthy and violent criminal history in New Jersey, including a stint in state prison for attempted murder. Curcione was armed with a large kitchen knife. After threatening the officers and deputies with the knife, they were forced to shoot him, and he is deceased. No officers or deputies were injured during the incident, which is being investigated by the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force.

Investigation Leads To Dropping Of Most Severe Charges Relating To July 29, 2023 Lakeland Homicide

Carl Fish
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Investigation Leads To Dropping Of Most Severe Charges Relating To July 29, 2023 Lakeland Homicide


 

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 1:51 a.m., a shooting occurred outside the Jade Fox Lounge, 3010 Lakeland Highlands Road. Two officers, working an off-duty detail at the business, were already on the scene when a disturbance erupted in the parking lot, and the shooting occurred. A 25-year-old male with gunshot wounds was transported to the hospital by a personal vehicle. Despite the best efforts of emergency medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. A second victim, a 48-year-old female, was transported by ambulance with critical injuries.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that just before the shooting, a physical altercation had occurred inside the Jade Fox Lounge concerning the cover charge for entry to the event. After the physical altercation, security for the Jade Fox Lounge ordered the patrons to exit the establishment.

The parties who had exited the establishment and other patrons gathered in the parking lot. There, another physical altercation broke out. During the fight, multiple shots were fired, two rounds striking the 25-year-old male and one round striking the 48-year-old female.

Officers observed a female, later identified as Jamilah Johnson, running with a handgun and ordered her to stop. As she fled on foot through the parking lot, she threw her firearm, a .40 caliber Glock 27 handgun, underneath a vehicle while attempting to flee the scene. Johnson was detained, and the gun she was carrying was recovered underneath a vehicle at the scene.

While at the scene, detectives checked Johnson’s criminal history via the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) database, which indicated she was a convicted felon; therefore, Johnson was arrested at the scene for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. (It would be later determined Johnson was not a convicted felon due to pleading to a lesser charge on a previous arrest, which was not yet updated in the database.)

As evidence from the crime scene was processed, it was discovered that two different caliber bullet casings were found at the scene, .40 and 9mm calibers.

On July 30, 2023, detectives were provided with a picture from a person at the scene, which showed Johnson holding a gun pointed to the back of the 25-year-old male just prior to him being shot. On July 31, 2023, in consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, Johnson was charged with Aggravated Battery Using a Deadly Weapon.  

In the days following the shooting, detectives were provided with a video from another person at the scene. The video showed that during the altercation, the 25-year-old male raised a firearm and shot the 48-year-old female victim seconds prior to being shot by Johnson. The male victim was then shot twice, which caused his death. The evidence was processed, and the bullet that took the life of the 25-year-old male was matched to Johnson’s firearm. The firearm used by the male subject was not recovered and detectives believe someone at the scene took it with them.

After verifying the evidence collected and in consultation with the State Attorney’s Office (SAO), it was agreed that the facts and circumstances presented by the evidence did not support the criminal charge of homicide against Johnson as she was reacting to the 48-year-old female, a relative of Johnson’s, being shot. The SAO filed criminal charges of Possession of a Concealed Firearm and Tampering with Evidence, and the charges of Aggravated Battery Using a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon were dropped.

As always, it is the practice of the Lakeland Police Department to perform complete and thorough investigations that accurately reflect the appropriate course of action regarding any necessary criminal charges.

LPD Honors Heroes at 15th Annual Honoring Heroes Dinner

Staff Reporter
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LPD Honors Heroes at 15th Annual Honoring Heroes Dinner

by James Coulter

What could be more American than a steak dinner? How about a steak dinner raising proceeds for local law enforcement?

The Lakeland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (LCPAAA) hosted its 15th annual steak dinner and silent auction on Friday evening at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland.

More than 320 tickets were sold for the event, which featured a steak dinner, a silent auction for several door prizes, and comedy routines performed by local comedians.

Proceeds from the event go toward the LCPAAA, a local organization that performs fundraising for the LPD and its many programs and services, including its K9 Unit, Explorer’s Program, and Cops for Kids Program.

Around Christmas, the LCPAAA will be offering Christmas gifts and meals to underprivileged people in the Lakeland area. They also help offer additional financing for many special programs and events including the Special Olympics, explained Jack McHugh, LCPAAA President.

“Most of the canines that you see on LPD currently were purchased raised by the (LCPAAA),” said Jack McHugh. “It is a very good turnout this evening. I usually aim for about 300 people. And we have about 320 tickets sold. It is a really good crowd tonight.”

Aside from being able to enjoy a steak dinner, bid on prizes, and listen to comedy, participants that evening were able to meet many of the dogs within the K9 unit. Not only are they good police dogs, but they are also socialized to be around other people.

“It is great to have this set up and have all these people participating in these activities,” he said. “I love to see the community involved. The attendance that we have right now is a good showing that we have a lot of community support.”

Mother & Two Children Killed Two Others Critically Injured In Devastating Lakeland Crash

Carl Fish
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Mother & Two Children Killed Two Others Critically Injured In Devastating Lakeland Crash

LAKELAND, FL (September 12, 2023) – On Monday, September 11, 2023, at approximately 7:46 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Kathleen Road for a traffic crash involving two vehicles. At the scene, officers located a 2015 red Cadillac SUV with five occupants collided with a 2016 black Dodge Challenger with one occupant. The adult male driver and three juvenile passengers of the Cadillac were ejected from the vehicle. The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The right front passenger of the Cadillac, an adult female, was declared deceased at the scene. The remaining occupants of the Cadillac were transported to Lakeland Regional Health (LRH). Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, two of the juvenile passengers were declared deceased a short time later by hospital staff. The driver of the Cadillac and the remaining passenger sustained critical injuries. The driver of the Challenger was transported to Tampa General Hospital and was reported in stable condition. 

Based on information gathered thus far in the investigation, the Cadillac was traveling southbound on Kathleen Road and entered the left turn lane, preparing to turn left onto Quincy Street. At the same time, the Challenger was traveling northbound on Kathleen Road in the outside lane. The driver of the Cadillac made a left turn, crossing the path of the Challenger when the crash occurred. Post impact the Cadillac rotated in a northeast direction and struck a utility pole where it came to rest. The Challenger came to final rest in a grassy area on the east side of the road just north of the Cadillac. It appears that the driver and juvenile passengers of the Cadillac and the driver of the Challenger were unrestrained at the time of the crash.

Members of the Traffic Homicide team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately four hours while the scene was processed. The crash remains an open investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Camillo Almeida at [email protected].

Cadillac Driver:

Jeremy Felton (critical)

Age: 30

Address: Lakeland, FL

Cadillac Front Passenger:

Mavaria Carter (deceased)

Age: 33

Address: Lakeland, FL

Cadillac Rear Passenger 1:

Female (deceased)

Age: 6

Address: Lakeland, FL

Cadillac Rear Passenger 2:

Male (deceased)

Age: 13

Address: Lakeland, FL

Cadillac Rear Passenger 3:

Female (critical)

Age: 14

Address: Lakeland, FL

*The occupants of the Cadillac are all family members. Mr. Felton and Ms. Carter are siblings and the three juveniles are children of Ms. Carter. 

Challenger Driver:

Jeremiah Rivera (stable)

Age: 20

Address: Lakeland, FL

Lake County Correctional Institution Sergeant ArrestedIn Polk County For Domestic Violence

Carl Fish
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Lake County Correctional Institution Sergeant ArrestedIn Polk County For Domestic Violence

Polk deputies arrested 35-year-old Wilmer Henriquez of Polk County after he had a physical altercation with a female victim. He was charged with domestic violence battery, a first degree misdemeanor. Mr. Henriquez is a Sergeant at Lake Correctional Institution, a Florida Department of Corrections facility in Clermont, Florida.

Deputies responded to a home in Northeast Polk County Monday evening, September 11, 2023, where a woman said Wilmer Henriquez grabbed her arm during an argument about messages she did not like on Henriquez’ cell phone. Both involved in the argument acknowledged that Mr. Henriquez grabbed the victim by the arm during the argument. The victim stated she experienced pain during the altercation and that the grabbing of her arm was against her will. According the affidavit, there was no hitting and there were no injuries sustained that required medical treatment.

Mr. Henriquez was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail. Staff of the Florida Department of Corrections were notified of the arrest.

Killer Of A Winter Haven Teenager Sought By Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Carl Fish
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Killer Of A Winter Haven Teenager Sought By Polk County Sheriff’s Office

After an extensive four-day-long around the clock investigation, PCSO Homicide detectives solved the murder of 15-year-old Quashawn Burgess, Jr., of Bartow, which took place on Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven during the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 12, 2023, and charged the suspect responsible for killing him and three other suspects with felonies. 

The four suspects who were arrested and charged are:

Rashan Harris II, DOB 6/17/2003, of 550 South Florida Avenue in Bartow; charged with:

·        Second degree murder (Capital Felony)

·        Attempted armed robbery (F2)

·        Conspiracy to commit armed robbery (F2)

·        Dealing in stolen property (F2)

·        Grand theft of a firearm (F3)

·        Tampering with evidence (F3)

·        Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F3)

·        Giving false info to LEO during a capital felony investigation (F3)

·        Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M1)

·        Violation of probation (M2)

Lilia Gonzalez, DOB 7/16/1993, of 3044 Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven; charged with:

·        Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2)

·        Dealing in stolen property (F2)

·        Tampering with evidence (F3)

·        Grand theft of a firearm (F3)

·        Possession of Cocaine (F3)

·        Possession of Marijuana with intent to sell (F3)

·        Maintaining residence where controlled substances are illegally kept (F3)

·        Possession of paraphernalia (M1)

Jase Govia, DOB 2/20/2000, of 3050 Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven; charged with:

·        Maintaining residence where controlled substances are illegally kept (F3)

·        Possession of Marijuana with intent to sell (F3)

·        Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams (F3)

·        Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)

Pierre Sauveur, DOB 5/7/1989, of 3050 Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven; charged with:

·        Maintaining residence where controlled substances are illegally kept (F3)

·        Giving false info to LEO during a capital felony investigation (F3)

·        Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams (F3)

·        Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)

“I said during the beginning of this investigation that my detectives would not stop working until they found the suspect or suspects responsible for this young man’s murder – and they did exactly that. What started as the attempted robbery of a female convicted felon illegally in possession of a stolen firearm ended in a fatal shooting. A series of really bad choices by everyone involved ended in a death and hopefully very long prison sentences for two others.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The following is a timeline of events:

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on September 12, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a young man who was found deceased in the driveway in front of 3050 Saint Paul Drive in Winter Haven. When first responders arrived, they located the victim, obviously deceased with a gunshot wound to his face. The reporting person discovered the victim after arriving at the location to visit a friend. During a neighborhood canvas, witnesses reported hearing a noise that sounded like a “pop” around 12:30 a.m. but thought it was fireworks. 

Later that morning, PCSO positively identified the victim as Quashawn Burgess, Jr., who lived in Bartow with his mother. When they notified his mother of his death, she was unaware that he was not home sleeping during the evening hours. She saw him on her living room couch at 10:30 p.m. on September 11th when she went to bed. When detectives arrived at her house, she went to his bedroom and confirmed he was not there, and told them that she did not know when he had left or where he had gone. 

Meanwhile, detectives were also canvassing the Saint Paul Drive neighborhood, talking to residents and looking for videos from the area during the time frame before, during, and after the crime. They found a video that depicted multiple people going into and out of 3050 Saint Paul Drive after the shooting, and then leaving in a white car. Detectives executed a search warrant at that address.

During the search warrant, detectives found two backpacks containing several bags containing marijuana. They interviewed resident Jase Govia, who admitted that he sells marijuana out of that house. He told them that he sold marijuana to three black males during the evening of September 11th. He said that after selling the illegal drugs, he left in a vehicle that was parked down the road waiting for him. After the interview, Govia was arrested and charged with the felony drug charges (see above). Govia’s associate, Pierre Sauveur, who picked him up in a car after the shooting, was also arrested and charged with felony drug charges (see above). 

Through investigative means, detectives identified Rashan Harris II as being present with Quashawn when Quashwan was killed. Rashan was unable to be located at that point in the investigation.

Detectives identified the vehicle that was seen on video arriving at the scene before the shooting and then leaving the scene right after, as belonging to a friend of Rashan Harris. Detectives served a search warrant on the vehicle, which was parked at the vehicle owner’s house. Detectives confirmed that Rashan used the car on Monday and during the specific time frame of the murder early Tuesday morning. 

Rashan was located and interviewed. Detectives interviewed Harris, who admitted he was at the scene with the victim when the homicide occurred, around 12:30 a.m., and that he fled without contacting law enforcement. Rashan stated that he picked up Quashawn in Bartow and took him to Saint Paul Drive to buy “weed” from the “weed man.” He said that after the purchase of marijuana, while he was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car they used and Quashawn walked around the corner, Rashan “hollered” at an unknown female to come speak to him. Rashan stated he and the female got into his vehicle and closed the door. Rashan stated he saw her door open and saw Quashawn attempting to remove her personal belongings and ultimately getting into an altercation with her. During the altercation, he heard a gun go off and saw Quashawn fall to the ground and saw the woman walk away. Rashan checked on the victim, saw that he was dead, and left the scene. Rashan described the female as white with brown hair.

Rashan Harris was taken into custody on Thursday, September 14th, and charged with two counts of violation of probation: he violated his probation curfew of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; and he left the deceased victim at the scene and failed to report his death. Detectives filed numerous additional felonies, including murder, against Rashan Harris at the conclusion of this investigation (see above).

Through extensive investigation, detectives identified the unknown woman as Lilia Gonzalez, who resided at 3044 Saint Paul Drive. Gonzalez fled the area right after the homicide, but detectives located her on Friday, September 15th. 

During an interview, this is what Lilia told detectives:

·        She asked Jase Govia (her neighbor) for Rashan Harris’ contact info so she could reach out to him and (illegally) purchase a gun 

·        On Monday evening, September 11th, she met with Harris in Bartow and bought a loaded handgun from him (she is a convicted felon, and the handgun was later confirmed stolen)

·        That same evening, Harris contacted her and said he wanted to give her more bullets for the gun that he forgot to give her when she purchased it

·        Harris came to Saint Paul Drive and parked next door to where she lived, and told her to come over to his car

·        She was nervous about the visit, so she brought the gun with her in her pants pocket

·        She was nervous standing outside the car talking to Harris, so she asked if they could sit in the car; she got into the front passenger seat and he got into the driver’s seat

·        While sitting there, an unknown male, who was armed with a gun, opened her door and attempted to rip her bag off her back; a struggle ensued

·        When she realized she was being robbed, she pulled the gun out of her pocket, and shot the male one time. She left because she did not want to get into trouble.

Lilia is a convicted felon out of Osceola County for a 2019 felony drug conviction. Detectives served a search warrant at her residence, and found the gun that she used to kill Quashawn, which was stolen in July 2023 from the city of Lakeland. This is the gun she bought from Rashan Harris. Detectives also found cocaine and marijuana, as well as several small clear baggies, in her home and vehicle. See above for her charges.

The criminal histories of all suspects who were arrested during this investigation are as follows:

Rashan Harris (DOB 6/17/2003) – From 2017 to 2022, he has been arrested and charged with 53 felonies and 26 misdemeanors, including: armed robbery, battery on LEO, larceny, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, resisting arrest, petit theft, burglary, failure to appear, and VOP. He just got out of the Polk County Jail in January 2023 – he was arrested in December 2020 and had 60 charges.

Lilia Gonzalez (DOB 7/16/1993) – From 2011 to 2019, she has been arrested and charged with 9 felonies and 7 misdemeanors, with one felony conviction. Her prior charges include: fraud, forgery, drug possession, larceny, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to appear, and VOP.

Jase Govia (DOB 2/20/2000) – From 2014 to 2018, he has been arrested and charged with 4 felonies and 2 misdemeanors, with one felony convictions. His prior charges include: armed robbery, battery domestic violence, recruiting criminal gang, burglary, resisting arrest, failure to appear, and VOP. He spent five years in state prison for robbery; he was just released in February 2023.

Pierre Sauveur (DOB 5/7/1989) – From 2005 to 2019, he has been arrested and charged with 2 felonies and 6 misdemeanors, with 2 felony convictions. His prior charges include: armed robbery, battery, fraud, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, child neglect, DWLSR, failure to appear, and VOP. He spent four years in state prison (from 2009 to 2013) for robbery, child neglect, and burglary.

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Update: Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 11:00 a.m. this morning (Monday, September 18, 2023) at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven regarding the homicide of 15 year old Quashawn Burgess Jr. The investigation has been solved by the PCSO Homicide Unit and arrests have been made.

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Sheriff Grady Judd briefed the media at the scene of a homicide that occurred overnight on St. Paul Drive in Winter Haven.

The victim was discovered around 2:30 a.m. this morning, September 12, 2023, in the driveway at the scene. He was 15 years old.

St. Paul Drive

There is a $5,000 CASH REWARD for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

*CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

*DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone

*VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”

*DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

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