Grady Judd asking for public's help after shootout injuring 3 teens at prom after-party
Three teens injured in prom after-party shooting
FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia explains why Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is asking for the public's help after a shootout with over 100 people around early Sunday morning in Davenport after at a post-prom after-party.
DAVENPORT, Fla. - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd shared more information about the shootout at a prom after-party that injured three teens early on Sunday morning.
What we know:
Judd said that the night began at a Wawa on Osceola Polk Line Rd. when a store worker called 911 to report people stealing from the store and chaos in the parking lot.
When deputies arrived, they said that everyone had cleared out.
Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say that two schools, Dr. Phillips and Jones High School, had proms on Saturday night, and after-parties ensued at various houses in Osceola County before the party-goers headed to the Wawa.
Later that evening, deputies responded to reports that a fight led to the shooting shortly after 3:30 a.m. at a nearby condo complex with many short-term rental units.
Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.
READ: 11-year-old robbed of fundraising money while selling chocolate in Lake Wales: LWPD
When they arrived to the Azur Resort parking lot on Famagusta Drive, they said over 100 people were running or driving away.
A 17-year-old female and an 18-year-old male were grazed by bullets, according to deputies, while a 17-year-old male had debris in his eye.
Deputies learned that one victim had been taken to the hospital by friends. Another victim was located at the scene and treated. Both had non-life-threatening injuries.
Shootout injures 3 teens at prom after-party: PCSO
A shootout at a prom after-party injured three teens on early Sunday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The victims told deputies they were sitting in a parked car when shots were fired. PCSO says they were not targeted by the shooters. All three victims are students at Osceola High School.
Judd says several people took off as law enforcement arrived at the scene, adding that those people "don’t appear to want to cooperate with this investigation."
"Three teenagers were shot, and three teenagers, three children should not have been shot, but they were," Judd said. "They made a horrible mistake by crossing into Polk County because we are going to do a detailed investigation of every phase of this event, and hold everyone accountable that has violated the law."
READ: Man charged with murder of co-defendant in self-defense shooting outside Lakeland restaurant
The principal of Osceola High School confirmed that three of its students were involved in a "tragic incident" over the weekend, releasing a statement on Sunday night that reads, in part: "First and foremost, our hearts and thoughts are with the students and families involved. I am extremely thankful that all three students survived."
The school will also have additional counselors on campus Monday, according to the principal.
What we don't know:
The sheriff's office did not elaborate further on possible suspects in the case.
What you can do:
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS.
The Source: This story was written with information from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Osceola High School.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter