1 Man Dead, Another Critical In Lakeland Apartment Shooting

LAKELAND, FL — One man has died and a second is critically injured following a shooting Monday.

According to Lakeland police, at 5:26 p.m., officers were called to the Providence Reserve Apartments on Providence Reserve Loop for a shooting and found two men with gunshot wounds near the outdoor courtyard of the apartment complex.

Officers provided medical aid until the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived and took both men to Lakeland Regional Health with critical injuries.

According to witnesses, a fight broke out in the courtyard area just before the shooting and one man fled the scene in a vehicle. Detectives said they have identified the man and are currently searching for him.

One of those injured, a 38-year-old man, died at the hospital. The second victim, a 25-year-old man, remains hospitalized.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Troy Smith at 863-834-8958 or troy.smith@lakelandgov.net. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), dial **TIPS by cell phone or visit the website and click on "Submit A Tip."