LAKE WALES, FL — As many as 300 people were attending a party at the Lake Wales Mud Hole when gunfire erupted early Sunday morning, leaving four people injured and leading to the arrests of two men, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 12:18 a.m. Sept. 27 to the property on Alturas Babson Park Cut-Off, west of U.S. 27. Investigators said approximately 150 to 300 people attended the gathering, which had been advertised on social media as a party with “good vibes, good people, and no drama.”
An 18-year-old Lakeland woman suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Three other victims were taken to hospitals by friends before deputies arrived: a 20-year-old Lake Wales woman who was shot in the thigh, a 19-year-old Lakeland man shot in the arm and a 21-year-old Eagle Lake woman shot in the foot.
Detectives identified and interviewed more than 100 people during the investigation. Two suspects were identified and arrested Thursday, Oct. 1.
Richard William Fante, 20, of Lakeland, and Cordae DeShawn Hammonds, 19, of Avon Park, were each charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder and 62 counts of culpable negligence.
Sheriff Grady Judd called the shooting “incredibly dangerous” and said it was a miracle no one was killed. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are possible. Nothing further.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
