Mulberry Man Accidentally Shoots Self, Falsely Claims Drive-By Shooting | Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported drive-by shooting on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at a residence on 2nd Avenue NW in Mulberry.
22-year-old James Ansony Sosa-Pinto of Mulberry arrived at Lakeland Regional Health ER Sunday afternoon with a gunshot wound to his left leg and reported the shooting to staff members.
Deputies located blood in Sosa-Pinto’s bedroom at the residence. A spent casing and bullet were found in the room, along with an impact mark on the floor. Multiple vape cartridges containing THC resin were recovered from the bedroom.
The wound consisted of an entry on the thigh and exit through the calf. Powder burns were present near the entry wound and on Sosa-Pinto’s left hand.
Evidence indicated the shooting was self-inflicted.
When confronted with inconsistencies in his account, Sosa-Pinto stated he never reported being the victim of a drive-by shooting.
Following medical treatment, James Ansony Sosa-Pinto was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was charged with:
– False Report of a Firearm Used in a Violent Manner (Felony 2)
– Possession of Cannabis Resin (Felony 3)
– Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor 1)
Nothing further at this time.
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
