LAKE WALES, Fla. — A 21-year-old was shot and killed after an argument with another man he knew from high school, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Vincent Thomas Jr. and three others drove to a house on Northside Drive in Lake Wales around 7 p.m. Tuesday, the agency said in a news release. When they arrived at the house, Thomas reportedly got out of the car with a shotgun and confronted a 20-year-old who lived there and threatened to shoot him.
The resident was allegedly armed with a rifle and shot at Thomas several times. When law enforcement arrived, they arrested him and two of Thomas' friends on charges of tampering with evidence and lying to law enforcement during a felony investigation.
Deputies said the two men involved in the argument went to Lake Wales High together.
Thomas was driven to Advent Health Lake Wales Hospital where he died from his injuries. He was on felony probation at the time of this incident and had prior arrests for battery on law enforcement, threats against an officer and a few other charges, according to deputies.
Polk County deputies are still investigating. The name of the 20-year-old who shot Thomas was not released.
Editor's note: The Polk County Sheriff's Office issued a correction to Vincent Thomas Jr.'s age. He is 21, not 19 as initially reported.
