Winter Haven Police Department has released a report on the fatal shooting incident from Monday in Winter Haven.
“An 18 year-old Winter Haven man has been arrested in the shooting death of a 17 year-old on Monday.
Devonta Tremaine Washington, Jr. was arrested on Tuesday (1-28-25) and charged with Second Degree Murder after he told investigators that he was instrumental in arranging a robbery attempt of the victim, who was ultimately shot and left in the grass at the Abbey Lane Apartments.
Devonta Tremaine Washington, Jr arrested
On 1-27-25 at approximately 1 p.m., Washington and one other male were at the apartments when the victim arrived in a Kia Soul driven by an 18 year-old male. Washington and another male (who ultimately was the victim who was shot and killed) entered the vehicle to reportedly purchase a cell phone from the driver.
A physical altercation ensued and the decedant began striking the driver with the butt of a gun. The driver exited the vehicle and entered the back seat firing a weapon striking the decedent. He pushed the gunshot victim out of the vehicle and left the area. Washington fled on foot running through the apartment complex and an adjacent neighborhood.
Detectives identified Washington as one of the males who came from inside of the apartment and made contact with him by phone to arrange an interview at the police department. Through the interview, he recounted the incident to include that he called to arrange for the transaction of the supposed sale of the cell phone. The decedent had informed Washington that he was “probably” going to rob the victim and wanted Washington to come along in case anything were to happen. Based on this statement, Washington was aware that an armed robbery was going to occur involving two firearms.
Results of the interviews with a witness who was inside the vehicle, the victim of the robbery and Washington himself, Washington was charged with one count of Second Degree Murder, one count of Robbery with a Firearm, one count of Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.”
More than 60 years ago, a man dared to dream of a world where people, regardless of race and ethnicity, could live together in peace and harmony. One year later, the Civil Rights Act was passed, bringing the whole world one step closer to his dream.
Haines City will be celebrating the life and legacy of that man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with their annual celebration, which includes a parade and unity day festival, on Saturday.
The celebration will begin with a parade through downtown at noon, starting at East Main Street and ending near Cook Field, where the Unity Day Program will be hosted following the end of the parade.
Sameka Atkins, Committee Chairwoman for the Haines City Northeast Revitalization Group, has been overseeing the annual celebration for many years.
According to their website, the Haines City Northeast Revitalization Group is a local non-profit organization dedicated to working toward “continued improvements for the beautification, education, safety and welfare of their community” and to “restore sense of community pride.”
“The progress we have made over the last few years has significantly increased,” she said. “We have done that by participating in local events and initiatives, and we support the city officials…to help bridge the gap on local issues and volunteer work.”
For more information about the event, visit the City of Haines City Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/hainescity
Do you love golf? Want to help raise funds “fore” a good cause? Then come on down to the 20th Annual VISTEBall on Sat. Feb 1.
Hosted at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland, VISTEBall allows attendees to enjoy golf-related games and activities including golf simulators, mini golf, and 50/50 raffles for golfing accessories.
And, of course, what fundraiser would be complete without food and drink? Nearly a dozen local resturaunts will be providing great food, including pasta, barbecue, and wings, at serving centers for the event’s main dinner.
Proceeds will go toward Volunteers in Service of the Elderly (VISTE), a local non-profit organization serving at-risk seniors in the greater Lakeland area, allowing them to live safely and independently in their own homes.
Steve Bissonnette, VISTE President, mentioned how their fundraiser was inspired by a trade show one of their members had attended. At the event was something called BirdieBall, an item that allows golfers to practice golfing in their own backyards.
“What he saw was the opportunity to turn that into games much like those at the Family Fun Center or Chuck E. Cheese, with the ability to play golf-themed games, get tickets, and trade those tickets in for prizes,” Bissonnette explained.
Over the past 20 years, VISTEBall has proven to be quite the popular fundraiser among its participants, to the point where they count down the days on the calendar until they can attend again, Bissonnette said.
“We find that there are a lot of new volunteers who come to us through their experience at this event,” he said. “What I hear the most from folks is that they keep coming back and that this is their signature event of the year, and we love to hear that.”
VISTEBall will be hosted on Sat. Feb. 1 at 6 PM at the Sun n Fun Expo Campus, located at 4075 James C. Ray Dr in Lakeland. For more info, visit VISTE.org.
Steve Bissonnette recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss the upcoming fundraiser. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-52-honoring-mlk-at-visteball-wsameka-atkins-steve-bissonn
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office & Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a multiple vehicle crash on Hwy 540 West near the intersection of Brandy Chase in Winter Haven. The accident call came in at 8:26pm.
Currently medical helicopter is landing near the Polk State College Center For Public Safety. Initial information is two major injuries one adult and one pediatric trauma alert. It’s believed the pediatric trauma alert is being airlifted and the adult is being transported by ground.
Details are not currently available, but we will update as information is available
Terry Joe Bailey Sr., 62, passed away on January 22, 2025. A skilled automotive technician, Terry was known for his hard work, dedication, and ability to fix just about anything.
Outside of work, Terry found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved spending time fishing, playing poker with friends, and creating lasting memories with those he loved. A loyal friend and a warm presence, Terry’s laughter and kindness touched everyone who knew him.
Terry leaves behind a loving family who meant the world to him: his three children, TJ Bailey (Kristan Bailey), Ashley Bradley (Mike Bradley) and Robert Bailey (Harlie Bailey); five cherished grandchildren, Rio Bailey, Jade Bailey, Alexus Sharpe, Harmoni Futrell and Weston Bailey; Sister, Debbie Bailey; Brother, Mark Bailey (Teresa Bailey), Nieces and nephews Michael Costine, Eric Costine, Marc Bailey, Austin Bailey, Christopher Cochran, Courtney Cochran. His memory will forever be celebrated by his family, friends, and all whose lives he enriched.
A private service will be held to honor his life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for acts of kindness in Terry’s memory.
The Polk County Youth Fair, running now through January 31, 2025, is a long-standing event in our area, one that supports students in a broader education beyond reading and math. But how did it get started?
The PCYF offers this history of the Fair on their website and how it came to be:
On October 7, 1944, G. W. (Buck) Mann, Jr., stood talking with a representative of Hon. Nathan Mayo, Commissioner of Agriculture, and on that day the hoping and thinking that had been going on about an agricultural show pavilion in this area of Florida turned into activity which has culminated in the facilities, not yet completed, but which are being used for the first time to stage the Polk County Youth Fair.
Following the October 7th meeting, the Livestock Committee of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce headed by W. H. Stuart, Chairman, met with Mr. Mayo in Winter Haven on November 18, 1944. Mr. Mayo made a proposal in which he asked the committee to help make the project a state, county and city effort in keeping with his state-wide plan for similar areas surrounding such other points as Quincy, Ocala, Orlando and Belle Glade.
The City of Bartow responded, immediately by donating the Pavilion site and a cash contribution to the building fund. The County of Polk heartily endorsed the project and backed it with the financial assistance requested. Individual citizens – cattlemen, merchants, fruit growers and others have likewise contributed generously.
On December 5, 1944, Joe Taylor, hardworking Secretary of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce helped arrange a meeting between the livestock committee and Mr. W. L. Wilson, Director of State Markets, and Col. M. B. Hawkins, Construction Engineer. The title to the Pavilion site is held by the Florida Agricultural Marketing Board of which Mr. Wilson is secretary. On this occasion the building site was approved and Mr. Wilson made the first public announcement regarding this project. He has cooperated fully, and Col. Hawkins has worked many hours on the building plans. As the building has progressed toward completion, E. S. Rydholm, Supervisor of Construction for State Markets has given much assistance.
During the time of the introductory conferences, sketches and blue prints of show pavilions and exhibit buildings from all over the country were being accumulated for study and guidance. On January 11, 1945, the committee met with Mr. L. H. Lewis, Livestock & Field Crops Specialist, Florida State Marketing Bureau. As he was Mr. Mayo’s representative with whom we had our first talk, he has from the beginning worked with us in every way to help make these facilities adequately serve the needs of this area of the State. Mr. Lewis suggested that before drawing any plans he would like for the committee to see the new pavilion then being completed in Valdosta, Georgia. Consequently, on February 21, 1945, twenty-nine enthusiastic citizens went to Valdosta. Practically every man on the trip made a written report and suggestions which were studied by the building committee.
A building and planning committee composed of Buck Mann, Chairman, Sam Clark, C. E. (Tiny) Williams, Paul Hayman, L. G. Carlton and W. H. Stuart, ex-officio member, went to work on plans. A. Alex Hatton, a former Bartow boy now located in Orlando, was engaged as architect. Many sketches were drawn and much time has elapsed since plans were started, but scarcity of materials, priorities, gray market prices, lack of funds and many other obstacles have not been able to diminish enthusiasm or stop the project.
In November 1947, W. H. Stuart took Clay Gardenhire to Tallahassee where the basic contract for the barn and arena were awarded to Gardenhire Brothers. The members of this Bartow firm have manifested the same interest in the project as the building committee and by doing many seemingly impossible things have brought the building to its present stage of completion.
We are not celebrating the completion of the project, but possibly only its beginning, and as Mr. Mayo turns the key to the pavilion over to the people of this area of Florida, may its inaugural use by our young citizens be symbolic of the use and growth of these facilities through the coming years.
We can be thankful for a State, a County, a City and a Citizenship that march forward together.
On January 27th, 2025, James David Shows was charged with one count of possessing a destructive device following the discovery of the drive inside his residence located at 108 Pike Street, Auburndale, FL 33823.
The device was described as a white PVC plastic pipe bomb with end caps and a wick/fuse. The device was found by an animal caregiver who had permission to enter the residence while Shows was incarcerated on unrelated charges. The witness contacted Law Enforcement to report the suspicious device.
Auburndale police responded to the scene at approximately 1339 hours and confirmed the presence of a suspicious device resembling a pipe bomb. The Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives (BFAE) was immediately contacted and safely removed the device from the residence.
Further analysis by BFAE determined the device to be approximately 2 – 2 1/2 inches in length and containing an unknown powder, as revealed by X-Ray photographs. The Auburndale Police Department (APD) can confirm there is no immediate danger to neighboring residents.
This incident remains an active and open investigation. APD urges anyone with information related to this case to contact our Criminal Investigations Unit at (863) 965-5555.
42-year old Mark Davis Cox of Winter Haven got himself arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening, January 22nd.
A little after 8pm, a PCSO deputy was dispatched to a gas station on Dundee Road, in Dundee, due to a man causing a disturbance there. That man was Mr. Cox.
When the deputy arrived, he immediately saw Mr. Cox–he was yelling at an ice machine outside of the store, and hitting it.
We get it, the temperature outside is very cold (especially for Florida standards), but it’s not the ice machine’s fault. Maybe someone left the door on the ice machine open, causing these ridiculous temperatures.
As the deputy approached him, Mark said he wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was asked to identify himself, and Mark replied, “You know me!”
The deputy did not know him. However a lot of deputies do know Mark.
Mark smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated; he was belligerent and was scaring customers and employees.
As the deputy attempted to take Mark into custody, he began resisting.
Mark Davis Cox was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, and resisting.
On the evening of January 27, 2025 around 9:00 p.m. Winter Haven Fire Department responded to a 911 call for an accident on Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven.
We reached out to Jamie Brown, Winter Haven Public Safety Department’s Public Information Officer for details and she advised a juvenile bike rider was crossing the road and rode into the side of a truck pulling a trailer.
There were minor injuries but the juvenile was transported to Winter Haven Health as a precaution.
Since this was a minor event, law enforcement does not have any additional details to provide.
On Tuesday, January 28th, FHP Troopers located the suspected hit-and-run vehicle involved in the fatal January 24th crash. The black 2024 Tesla Model X was recovered at a residence in Manatee County. Troopers continue to investigate the incident; additional details will be released as they become available.
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A Lakeland man was struck and killed on the side of I-275 while changing a flat tire Friday evening. It was a hit-and-run and troopers are still searching for the vehicle involved.
FHP Troopers have narrowed the search for the suspect vehicle to a 2021 or newer Tesla Model X, dark in color, likely black or gray.
The Tesla will likely display damage to the front and/or front-right portion of the vehicle. The Model X is outfitted with gull-wing doors.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.
