On April 27, 2026, Lakeland police took another run at a stubborn cold case, re-issuing surveillance video and asking the public to help identify two men seen near the Mobil gas station at 1615 West Memorial Boulevard in connection with a July 4, 2021 shooting that killed a 34-year-old man. Officers found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and rushed him to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he later died. In the clip, two suspects are seen heading back to a vehicle and driving away from the scene. Investigators now describe the homicide as a cold case and are hoping a fresh look at the footage might jog someone’s memory.
Police re-release surveillance clip and contacts
As posted by the Lakeland Police Department, investigators are urging anyone who recognizes the two men to reach out. The Facebook post lists direct contact information for Cold Case Investigator Gary Gross and asks viewers to “take another look” at the video, stressing that even small or secondhand leads could matter. The department also points potential tipsters to Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida for those who want to remain anonymous.
The July 4, 2021 shooting
The shooting unfolded just after midnight on July 4, 2021, at the Mobil station on West Memorial Boulevard, according to FOX 13 News. Officers arrived to find a 34-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds, and first responders provided aid before transporting him to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police said two armed suspects got out of a vehicle parked on a nearby street, approached the victim as he was pumping gas, then fled in the same vehicle after the gunfire.
Tips, reward and how to reach investigators
According to the Lakeland Police Department, Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-226-TIPS (8477), dialing **TIPS from a cell phone, using the P3tips app, or going through the Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida website. The post also lists Cold Case Investigator Gary Gross along with a phone number and email address for anyone who wishes to contact detectives directly.
Why investigators hope the fresh clip helps
The killing drew local attention when it first happened in 2021, and police say the renewed focus could flush out witnesses who stayed quiet the first time around. Coverage at the time noted that detectives were following leads but had not made any arrests. As reported by DailyRidge, investigators asked anyone with information to contact the department after the shooting, a plea they are now repeating more than two years later.
