MULBERRY, Fla. — A 28-year-old woman was shot to death after an argument escalated between two men early Thursday morning in Mulberry.
The shooting happened after Joshua Clark, 35, and Jose Coronado, 34, met and got into an argument on Levins Road, according to preliminary information from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The woman, 28-year-old Mary Dino, was sitting in Coronado's car.
Judd added that both men were involved in trading meth. After the argument, the sheriff said Clark appeared to be heading back to his car, prompting Coronado to head to his own car and reach for his gun.
While grabbing the gun, Judd said it accidentally fired, hitting Dino in the chest.
"He pulls out of the car with his firearm and starts shooting at Joshua Clark, blaming him for the reason that he shot his girlfriend," Judd said.
Both men left the scene after exchanging gunfire, with Coronado taking the wounded Dino to Ryals Road before leaving her on the bed of a truck. He reportedly told people in the area to take her to the hospital, adding that he had to leave because he had a warrant out for his arrest.
"He's got a failure to appear warrant for trafficking methamphetamine out of Hillsborough County," Judd said.
Dino eventually died from her injuries, according to Judd.
After searching for 20 miles, Polk County deputies found and arrested Coronado on Highway 17 just north of Fort Meade.
Joshua Clark was still at large when Coronado was arrested. But, around 1:20 p.m. Thursday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that he has been taken into custody.
Judd said the sheriff's office will provide more updates as the investigation continues.
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