LAKELAND, FL — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Friday released new details about the deputy-involved shooting that left K-9 Ace critically injured, revealing the suspect had been hiding in a tent in the woods after failing to appear in court on child sex charges.
According to Judd, 27-year-old Angel Bowers was originally arrested in 2024 after investigators said he groomed and sexually battered a 16-year-old girl inside a princess tent. Bowers spent about two months in jail before being released on a $35,000 bond with conditions that prohibited him from contacting the victim.
Judd said Bowers was expected to appear in court this week to enter a negotiated plea that would have resulted in a sentence of five to 15 years in state prison, followed by probation. Instead, he failed to appear, prompting a judge to issue a felony warrant and revoke his bond.
Investigators believe Bowers anticipated returning to prison and had spent at least two weeks preparing to hide. He allegedly set up a tent about 100 to 150 yards into thick woods on Polk County property near the home where he had been staying. His girlfriend later cooperated with investigators after Bowers reportedly called her and asked her to bring him a Polar Pop, telling her he was in the tent.
A bondsman searching for Bowers located what investigators believed was his blue bicycle near the woods and alerted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies established a perimeter and deployed K-9 Ace, handled by Deputy Natalie Oestreich, to approach the tent. After repeatedly identifying themselves and ordering Bowers to surrender, Judd said the suspect responded, “I’ve got a gun and I’m going to shoot,” before opening fire.
According to the sheriff, Bowers fired at least four rounds, striking Ace in the chest. The bullet exited through the dog’s left shoulder, destroying his front left leg and damaging a brachial artery, causing severe bleeding.
Deputy Oestreich carried Ace out of the woods and rushed him by patrol vehicle to an emergency veterinary hospital because there was no time to wait for an aircraft. Deputies maintained a perimeter for about two hours before the Polk County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team entered the tent.
Judd said SWAT found Bowers dead inside while still holding a stolen 9mm pistol equipped with a 24-round extended magazine. Investigators said the firearm belonged to his girlfriend’s mother, who was unaware it had been taken. An autopsy determined Bowers died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting.
In a later update, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that Ace underwent successful surgery, but veterinarians were forced to amputate his front left leg because the damage was too severe. Ace is now in stable condition. The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch performed the surgery, and the Wiltse Family Trust has offered to cover the cost of his treatment. Deputy Oestreich has remained by Ace’s side throughout his recovery.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PRESS CONFERENCE
