Shooting Leads to Attempted Murder Charge for Lake Wales Man

One man is hospitalized with a gunshot would and a second is under arrest and charged with attempted first degree murder after a shooting which took place late Thursday night.

Lake Wales Police officers responded to an 11:14 p.m. report of a dangerous shooting and found the victim, an adult male, laying in the alleyway with a gunshot wound to his chest.

Officers rendered aid and the victim was airlifted to a trauma center where he is currently in critical condition, according to police.

Officers quickly established a perimeter around the area with the assistance of responding deputy sheriffs and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit. Witnesses to the shooting provided important information the police, and with the assistance of their K9 team were able to locate the suspect on Wetmore Street, only a block from the scene.

Terrence Mathis, a 33 year old Lake Wales resident, was taken in custody without incident and has been charged with attempted murder and is being held in the Polk County Jail.

Witnesses said Mathis and the victim had been arguing only a short time before the shooting.

Officers and deputies established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect. With the assistance of the, their K9 team and witnesses providing information, the suspect was located on Wetmore Street, just one block from the crime scene. He was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives learned from witnesses that an argument had taken place between the victim and Mathis moments before he was shot. This was an isolated incident and there was no direct threat to the public, police reported.

This remains an active investigation. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Lake Wales Police at 863-678-4223. If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS. You can also visit the website http://www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet to submit a tip.