January 29, 2025 update
An 18 year-old Winter Haven man has been arresting 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.
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 Sole 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.
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EDITED TO ADD- There has been some confusion on an active scene at both Abbey Lane Apartments in Winter Haven AND a clinic in Dundee.
Winter Haven Police Department has confirmed that this is ONE incident. The investigation is covering more than just Abbey Lane. More details to come.
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UPDATE
Winter Haven Police Department has released more information regarding today’s incident:
Winter Haven Police are on scene at the Abbey Lane Apartments investigating a shooting that resulted in one person succumbing from a gunshot wound. Detectives are currently interviewing the suspect. There is no danger to the public.
This is very early on in the investigation and additional information is not available at this time.
Updates will be sent when information becomes available.
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Original post:
We are aware of an incident that has occurred in Winter Haven at the Abbey Lane Apartments. Winter Haven Police are on scene. There is also police presence near the Walk-in Clinic at 28295 US-27 Dundee, which is related to the scene at the Abbey Lane Apartments.
Several readers reached out to us about the unfolding incident and we contacted Winter Haven Police Department for details but they are limited at this time.
Jamie Brown, Winter Haven Public Safety Department’s Public Information Officer released the following statement: “We have an initial call but are investigating and have no information to release as of yet.”
We will on update as additional details come in.
