INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting - UPDATE

UPDATE

Lakeland Police have identified the victim in this shooting as 41 year old, Christopher L. Prather (1/1/70).  The victim remains at Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries.  There are no known suspects, at this time.  The investigation is ongoing.

 

*****Original Release*****

 Lakeland Police Department received a call at approximately 6:30 p.m. in reference to a shooting at 1100 Lowry Avenue.  Officers responded to the scene and found one person with non life-threatening injuries, who was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  No one is in custody at this time.

The incident is currently under investigation, with detectives interviewing the victim and witnesses.  No further information is available at this time.  As information becomes available, updates will be provided.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting

Lakeland Police Department received a call at approximately 6:30 p.m. in reference to a shooting at 1100 Lowry Avenue.  Officers responded to the scene and found one person with non life-threatening injuries, who was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  No one is in custody at this time.

The incident is currently under investigation, with detectives interviewing the victim and witnesses.  No further information is available at this time.  As information becomes available, updates will be provided.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police December Chief's Chat

Lakeland Police Department’s next Chief’s Chat will be held on Monday, December 5, 2011, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the Lakeland Police Department, located at 219 N Massachusetts Avenue.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Armed Robbery Suspects

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify suspects that committed an armed robbery at the Race Trac, 2750 N RD 98 on November 28, 2011.  The suspects entered the convenience store, ordered everyone to the ground, and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects were armed with a handgun.  No one was injured.

One suspect is described as a thin black male approximately 20 years old, 5’08” to 5’09”.  Suspect was wearing a San Francisco 49er’s hooded jacket at the time of the robbery.  The other suspect is described as a 20 to 25 year old black female and was wearing an jacket with a Cross on the back with the words “Old Skool” above the cross.  The suspects are possibly driving a silver 2Door hatchback.

These suspects should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

If you believe you can identify these suspects or have additional information regarding this case, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.8477.

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

 

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting - UPDATE 2

UPDATE

November 30, 2011

Shawndell Christopher Artis was taken into custody by Lakeland Police at approximately 5:15 p.m. on November 29, 2011.

UPDATE

November 29, 2011

Lakeland Police have identified Shawndell Christopher Artis as the suspect for this Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.  Artis entered into an altercation with the victims at this location, shot victims Capel and Degroat, then fled the scene. Artis is described as a Black male, DOB:  10/26/1991.  Artis is approximately 5’08” tall, weighing 190 lbs. 

Artis is wanted for 2 counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Shawndell Christopher Artis currently has two active warrants for his arrest on Drug charges.

Artis should be considered armed and dangerous.

Additional photos can be seen on www.insidelpd.com on the Crimestoppers Bulletin.

 

*******Original Media Release*********

Event Type/Location:     Aggravated Battery (Shooting)

                                       3070 New Tampa Highway

                                       Warehouse Bar

Victims:     Jamarl D. Capel, 25 years old

                  George T. Degroat, 34 years old

                  Ellie Q. McGary, 27 years old

On November 26, 2011 at approximately 1:15a.m., patrol responded to the Warehouse Bar in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the 3 victims. Victim Capel had been shot twice, once in the arm and once in the chest, victim McGary was struck with an unknown object and was bleeding from his forehead, and victim Degroat was shot in the leg. Both Capel and McGary were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by EMS and Degroat was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by a private vehicle. The initial investigation revealed that a physical altercation between numerous patrons began inside the bar and spilled outside. Sometime during the altercation one of the participants pulled a gun and began shooting.  Police do not have anyone in custody at this time. At last report, victim Chapel was listed in critical, but stable condition and victim Degroat was treated and released from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. No information is available on victim McGary.

Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses to gather information. Updates will be provided as this becomes available.

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting - UPDATE

UPDATE

November 29, 2011

Lakeland Police have identified Shawndell Christopher Artis as the suspect for this Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.  Artis entered into an altercation with the victims at this location, shot victims Capel and Degroat, then fled the scene. Artis is described as a Black male, DOB:  10/26/1991.  Artis is approximately 5’08” tall, weighing 190 lbs. 

Artis is wanted for 2 counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Shawndell Christopher Artis currently has two active warrants for his arrest on Drug charges.

Artis should be considered armed and dangerous.

Additional photos can be seen on www.insidelpd.com on the Crimestoppers Bulletin.

 

*******Original Media Release*********

Event Type/Location:     Aggravated Battery (Shooting)

                                       3070 New Tampa Highway

                                       Warehouse Bar

Victims:     Jamarl D. Capel, 25 years old

                  George T. Degroat, 34 years old

                  Ellie Q. McGary, 27 years old

On November 26, 2011 at approximately 1:15a.m., patrol responded to the Warehouse Bar in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the 3 victims. Victim Capel had been shot twice, once in the arm and once in the chest, victim McGary was struck with an unknown object and was bleeding from his forehead, and victim Degroat was shot in the leg. Both Capel and McGary were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by EMS and Degroat was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by a private vehicle. The initial investigation revealed that a physical altercation between numerous patrons began inside the bar and spilled outside. Sometime during the altercation one of the participants pulled a gun and began shooting.  Police do not have anyone in custody at this time. At last report, victim Chapel was listed in critical, but stable condition and victim Degroat was treated and released from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. No information is available on victim McGary.

Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses to gather information. Updates will be provided as this becomes available.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting

Event Type/Location:     Aggravated Battery (Shooting)

                                  3070 New Tampa Highway

                                  Warehouse Bar

Victims:    Jamarl D. Capel, 25 years old

               George T. Degroat, 34 years old

               Ellie Q. McGary, 27 years old

On November 26, 2011 at approximately 1:15a.m., patrol responded to the Warehouse Bar in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the 3 victims. Victim Capel had been shot twice, once in the arm and once in the chest, victim McGary was struck with an unknown object and was bleeding from his forehead, and victim Degroat was shot in the leg. Both Capel and McGary were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by EMS and Degroat was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by a private vehicle. The initial investigation revealed that a physical altercation between numerous patrons began inside the bar and spilled outside. Sometime during the altercation one of the participants pulled a gun and began shooting.  Police do not have anyone in custody at this time. At last report, victim Chapel was listed in critical, but stable condition and victim Degroat was treated and released from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. No information is available on victim McGary.

Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses to gather information. Updates will be provided as this becomes available.

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin 

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Burglary Suspect

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify this suspect of a burglary that occurred during the night on November 8, 2011, at McDonald’s, 1715 S Rd 98 in Lakeland, Florida.  Suspect is believed to be approximately 5’08” tall with a medium build.  Suspect was wearing a Santa Claus beard at the time of the burglary to conceal his face.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers, 1.800.226.8477. 

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Lakeland Police Off-Duty Officer Involved Shooting

UPDATE - November 23, 2011

Lakeland Police have charged Anthony Santiago and Nelson Ivan Rodriguez with Occupied Burglary, Grand Theft, and Resisting Arrest in the burglary at Officer Chatmon’s residence. 

********************************************

Lakeland Police received a call on November 22, 2011 at 11:27am in reference to an off-duty officer involved in a shooting at 5233 North Road 98. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that off-duty Lakeland Police officer, Preston Chatmon, had returned to his apartment and found two males, later identified as Anthony Santiago (DOB 1/8/93) and his step-father Nelson Ivan Rodriguez (DOB 12/26/77) in his residence committing a burglary. The officer ordered the suspects to stop. The suspects, charged the officer at which time he fired one round striking Anthony Santiago in the leg. Both suspects ran from the apartment and the officer pursued them on foot, and both were taken into custody. Santiago was transported to LRMC with a non-life threatening injury. Nelson Rodriguez was transported to Lakeland Police Department where detectives are continuing their investigation. Santiago has been released from LRMC and is being interviewed by detectives.  Charges are pending against Santiago and Rodriguez and will be released at a later time.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Off-Duty Officer Involved Shooting

Lakeland Police received a call on November 22, 2011 at 11:27am in reference to an off-duty officer involved in a shooting at 5233 North Road 98. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that off-duty Lakeland Police officer, Preston Chatmon, had returned to his apartment and found two males, later identified as Anthony Santiago (DOB 1/8/93) and his step-father Nelson Ivan Rodriguez (DOB 12/26/77) in his residence committing a burglary. The officer ordered the suspects to stop. The suspects, charged the officer at which time he fired one round striking Anthony Santiago in the leg. Both suspects ran from the apartment and the officer pursued them on foot, and both were taken into custody. Santiago was transported to LRMC with a non-life threatening injury. Nelson Rodriguez was transported to Lakeland Police Department where detectives are continuing their investigation. Santiago has been released from LRMC and is being interviewed by detectives.  Charges are pending against Santiago and Rodriguez and will be released at a later time.

Officer Chatmon, 24, was hired by Lakeland Police Department on August 9, 2010.

No further information will be released at this time.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO