Saturday evening traffic near downtown Plant City turned into an active crime scene when police found a man with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle at the intersection of East Baker Street and Thonotosassa Road. Officers blocked off lanes and urged drivers and residents to steer clear while detectives worked the scene well into the night, and the injured man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
What police say
According to the Plant City Police Department, officers were sent to the area after reports of gunfire and found the wounded man around 6:16 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of E. Baker St. (U.S. 92) and Thonotosassa Rd. Detectives and patrol officers stayed on site as they collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. Investigators stressed that this shooting is being treated as an isolated incident and is not connected to other recent shooting cases in the city.
Road closures and public safety
Police said Thonotosassa Road was closed to southbound traffic starting at Woodrow Wilson Street, and E. Baker Street (U.S. 92) was shut down at its intersection with Thonotosassa Road. “Community members are asked to avoid the area while investigators continue their work,” the department wrote in its post, per the Plant City Police Department. Anyone with information about what happened was asked to call the Plant City Police tip line at (813) 757-9200.
Broader context
Police are emphasizing that Saturday’s shooting is not part of a broader pattern, even as residents are still processing an earlier multi-victim case this month that drew heavy attention, detailed in a recent report on the multi-victim case. The incident also unfolded along a particularly busy stretch of E. Baker Street, which carries U.S. 92 straight through downtown Plant City and serves as a major east-west route, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
How to help
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to the shooting to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200. Police say they plan to share more information as the investigation moves forward and details can be released.
