On May 12, 2024, officers responded to a dangerous shooting situation at a residence in Winter Haven. The defendant, Ruben Vasquez of Winter Haven (DOB 04/15/1989) was arrested on the charges of Improper exhibition of a firearm, Discharge of a firearm on residential property, Tampering with evidence, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by Winter Haven Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily 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 your own conclusion.
“On May 12th, 2024 at approximately 2004 hours I responded to REDACTED Winter Haven, Fl. 33880. In reference to a dangerous shooting.
Upon arrival, officers already had a male detained in the back of a patrol car. I then canvased the immediate area witness-1, REDACTED advised the male was shooting from. I observed and located three spent shell casings located approximately three feet from the shared driveway of this location laying in the grass.
I conducted an interview of REDACTED who stated she was sitting in the driver seat of her vehicle located in the rear of her residence. She stated she observed the defendant in her rear view mirror shoot a gun into the ground.
She stated she heard 4 shots fired at the time.
Witness -2 REDACTED stated she was sitting in the middle of the backseat. She stated she only heard four gun shots and when witness stated “he’s got a gun” she ducked her head and did not see the subject.
Witness-3 REDACTED stated she was sitting in the front passenger seat. She stated she heard four gun shots and when witness 1 stated “he’s got a gun” she ducked her head and did not see the subject.
Witness-4 REDACTED stated he was inside his home when he heard four loud bangs. He stated they sounded like vehicle mats being slapped together. He stated he came outside and observed a male subject walking from the rear of the subject’s property around to the front and enter his front door. He stated he did not observe any weapon being fired or any weapon being displayed.
I was advised by the backup officers that during a search of the subject they located a pistol magazine and one live round in his pocket. The live round in the subject pocket matched the shell casings located on the ground. All ammunition had matching head stamps. Ofc. Caballero advised the defendant was in the back of his patrol vehicle. He was then transferred to a second patrol vehicle to be transported to the police department. During this transition. Ofc. Caballero advised the defendant tried to hide a glass pipe commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics in his backseat. The pipe was then field tested with a number 15 Mark test kit which yielded a presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
Once at the Winter Haven Police Department my training officer made contact with the defendant at which time the defendant advised, post Miranda, he was only shooting at a raccoon that was in the yard. The defendant advised his kids were scared so he shot at a raccoon. The defendant was unsure if he hit the raccoon and was unsure how many shots were fired. It should be noted that no raccoon was observed on scene.
The defendant is being charged with one count of the following:
Improper exhibition of a firearm
Discharge of a firearm on residential property
Tampering with evidence
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia”
