A 20-year-old Winter Haven man is behind bars facing Manslaughter charges after a gun he was holding, fired hitting another man.
On July 2, 2024 at approximately 3:20 p.m., Winter Haven Police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a male suffering from a gunshot wound at a residence in Winter Haven (Ave. F SE, Winter Haven). As officers arrived on scene, they immediately began life-saving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived. The male victim was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators immediately conducted a safety sweep of the area since one of the occupants, 20- year-old Valan Michael Ray Tyner (DOB 08-24-03, Ave. F SE, Winter Haven) stated he thought maybe the shot came from outside of the home. Investigators quickly learned there were no signs of a projectile entering the home from the outside and a search warrant was obtained for the residence.
The other four occupants, who were inside of the residence, were interviewed separately. They all stated they were either on the phone or asleep in another room when they heard a “loud pop” followed by seeing Tyner carrying the victim out of a bedroom into the living room.
Investigators found evidence of the victim being shot inside of the bedroom, directly off the living room, with the firearm that was located on the bed with one spent shell casing. As investigators continued to interview Tyner, he claimed he was cleaning the gun and it “went off”. However, investigators did not find any cleaning supplies inside of the room where Tyner stated he was cleaning the weapon.
Tyner was arrested and charged with one count of Manslaughter with a Weapon (F.S.S. 782.07(1) and booked into the Polk County Jail.
“This is a tragic incident that changed the course of many lives,” said Police Chief David Brannan. “We have a young man deceased, his family grieving and another young man facing serious charges for an act that appears to be negligence in the handling of a firearm. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved.”
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Initial report from July 2: Winter Haven Police are on scene at a residence on Ave. F SE in Winter Haven after a shooting was reported.
At approximately 3:20 p.m. today, a call was received reporting someone in a residence had been shot.
When officers arrived on scene, they began assisting the victim until EMS arrived and transported the victim to the hospital. Condition is unknown at this time.
Police are confident that there is no danger to the public.
