Early Tuesday evening, gunfire at the Verona apartment complex in south Lakeland left one man wounded and a neighborhood on edge. He was taken to a hospital with what police say are non life threatening injuries.
Officers were called to the complex at 5:47 p.m., and by the time first responders arrived, the victim was already being driven for medical treatment in a personal vehicle, according to the Lakeland Police Department’s account reported by Tampa Bay 28. Police said the man had been shot, but his injuries did not appear to be life threatening.
Context: recent shootings in Lakeland
The Verona incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have rattled Lakeland this year, including a deadly parking lot shooting in February and a pool hall shooting in March. Both of those cases triggered ongoing investigations and have heightened community concern about gun violence in parts of the city.
Police contact and next steps
So far, authorities have not released any information about possible suspects or a motive in Tuesday’s shooting and say the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lakeland Police Department Media Relations Unit. The department’s media relations page lists [email protected] and a tip submission option for residents who want to share information.
