LAKE WALES, Fla. — A 23-year-old man is behind bars after deputies say he was responsible for firing a gun during a drive-by shooting last month in Lake Wales.
Daquan Carey, who is also an accused gang member, is facing multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
At around 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 22, two people were sitting in a parked car in front of a home when a dark-colored SUV slowly approached them from the east side of the road, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. When the SUV turned onto Hodge Street, the two people said they heard sounds of gunfire and then drove off.
Deputies say the bullets struck none of the two people, but the car they were in was hit by at least one round.
Lots of shell casings were found around the home where the people were parked. Authorities say no other homes or people nearby were hit.
The sheriff's office then launched an investigation and determined Carey as the suspect.
The 23-year-old reportedly had an active warrant for failing to appear, with original charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of narcotics and fleeing to elude. More warrants were eventually obtained for him, including attempted first-degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
On Wednesday, deputies say they found Carey in a Toyota Camry at a parking lot of the Della Vita apartment complex in Winter Haven. He attempted to fight with law enforcement officials and escape as he was being arrested.
After authorities were able to hold him still, they searched the 23-year-old and found a loaded gun, narcotics and marijuana in his pockets.
"This dangerous convicted felon and documented gang member has demonstrated that he has no regard for human life and no respect for the law or law enforcement," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "He's proven that he will shoot anyone, anywhere, and fight with law enforcement if approached. We hope he remains locked up in prison for a long, long time."
