Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Angela Latrice Box (DOB: 2/27/89) and charged her with accessory after the fact in a 2nd Degree Murder with a weapon investigation. The incident took place October 17, 2022 in Bartow. The suspected shooter in that case has been arrested (Details Here)

Here is an 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 understanding and conclusions) :

On Monday, October 17, 2022, Devante Lamar Lawson shot the Victim (REDACTED) while the Victim was inside a vehicle. The Victim was transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. During the investigation, contact was made with Angela Latrice Box, who is the Victim’s ex-girlfriend, owner of the vehicle where the Victim was, and who provided false information during this investigation while knowing that a felonious act had been committed against the Victim with the intent to avoid her and Lawson’s involvement in a homicide investigation.

During the investigation, the following information was learned.  On Monday, October 17, 2022, at approximately 1200 hours, Box made contact via text message with Lawson requesting his assistance in an attempt to locate her vehicle in the City of Bartow.  Lawson met with Box at Box’s residence, 1417 Lakewood Road, Lakeland Florida.  Upon meeting, Box explained to Lawson that the Victim had been very abusive since Friday, October 14, 2022 when, after a physical altercation between the Victim and Box, the Victim took Box’s vehicle against her will.  On Sunday, October 16, 2022, the Victim met with Box at her residence causing further arguments and a physical altercation in regards to the Victim returning the vehicle to Box.  During this argument, the Victim took Box’s vehicle again and also took Box’s cellular phone.  After Box explained the recent events to Lawson, Lawson agreed to assist Box in finding her vehicle.  Prior to leaving Box’s residence, Box asked Lawson if he had his firearm on him to which Lawson confirmed he had the firearm on him.  

Lawson and Box drove through the City of Bartow looking at locations where the Victim frequents.  At approximately 1400 hours, they located Box’s vehicle parked at 525 9th Avenue South, Bartow Florida.  Box approached the residence and met with a resident at the above address.  Box asked if the Victim was there, to which the resident advised the Victim had left with unknown subjects.  

At approximately 1420 hours, the Victim exited the residence and engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with Box.  After Box requested several times to the Victim to return the keys, the Victim refused, eventually making his way towards Box’s vehicle.  As Box blocked the driver side door, the Victim went around the vehicle and entered it via the front passenger door.  Once the Victim was inside the vehicle, Box continued to plea with the Victim not to take the vehicle.  The Victim started the vehicle and as he was changing gears, Lawson brandished his firearm from his waistband and told twice to the Victim not to leave.  As the Victim started to leave, Lawson discharged his firearm approximately two times.  

During a Post Miranda interview with Lawson, he confirmed all of the above facts further stating he legally purchased the firearm and although he did not have a conceal carry weapon permit, he always carries the firearm with him.  Furthermore, Box knows that he always has his firearm on him.  Lawson indicated that when he discharged the firearm, he thought Box was standing in front of the vehicle.

During a Post-Miranda interview with Box, she initially stated she was alone at 525 9th Avenue South, and did not know who had shot towards the Victim.  She maintained her statement for two more occasions, denying Lawson was at the scene or knowing who shot at the Victim.  After Box was confronted with Lawson’s statement, Box stated she did ask Lawson to bring his firearm with him, in case the Victim – who is known to carry a firearm – would brandish his firearm.  Box then admitted she was standing on the driver side door – near the driver side rear view mirror- as the Victim was leaving in the vehicle, and saw Lawson shoot into the vehicle towards the Victim.  

Based on this investigation, I determined that Box violated FSS 777.03 Accessory after the fact in a 2nd Degree Murder with a weapon investigation.