1 Man Killed, Another Wounded In Brazen Winter Haven Shootings

WINTER HAVEN, FL — A 30 year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday following two brazen daylight shootings blocks apart, including one that took place near a church. Both victims were taken to Lakeland Regional Health, where one later died, according to Winter Haven police.

Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird identified the victims as 30-year-old Cody Hunt, who died, and 41 year-old Rorey Copeland, the lone survivor of the shootings.

Bird said the man in custody was spotted running from the second shooting scene, in which Hunt suffered a fatal neck wound.

"At this point in time we do not know if the first victim, Rorey Copeland, was the intended target or if that was a random shot that hit him," said the chief. "At this time, we don't know if the suspect that we took into custody, that ran from the scene, is involved in that shooting yet or to what extent his involvement is."

Bird said the first shooting took place around 11:36 a.m. in the 200 block of Palmetto Avenue NW.

"When they arrived, a victim, Rorey Copeland, was located with a gunshot wound to his side on his torso," said Bird. "It was not life-threatening injuries but he was transported to Lakeland for those injuries."

Bird said his officers obtained a description of a possible suspect and were in the process of interviewing witnesses when they heard shots near the church at Second Street and Palmetto Avenue.

"Officers immediately started running to that location," he said. "When they ran to that location they saw a white male that came around, approached them. He had a significant wound to his neck, which was life threatening. They immediately started to render aid to that victim. That victim is Cody Hunt."

Bird said other people in the area began directing officers toward someone who was running from the scene. He was taken into custody a short time later.

"This is still a very new and fluid investigation," Bird said. "We're chasing a lot of leads down. We still have a lot of work to do in this investigation."