WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – An investigation underway by Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies near midnight on Tuesday was interrupted by approximately 10 gunshots nearby, prompting a secondary investigation.
Deputies shifted focus to the source of the sound. A witness at the scene reported seeing a man wearing a white shirt walking away from the area immediately after the shots were fired.
Soon after, deputies located and made contact with a man matching the description, identified as 28-year-old Jorge Paulino Vasquez, Jr.
During a safety pat-down, a handgun was located on Vasquez. Authorities noted the weapon felt warm.
Vasquez reportedly admitted to firing the weapon, stating his intent was to ensure it was functional. Deputies subsequently located ten spent shell casings in the area where Vasquez indicated he had fired the shots.
Further investigation revealed two key factors:
- Vasquez was currently on probation for Battery/Domestic Violence, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
- He appeared to be intoxicated during the encounter.
Jorge Vasquez, Jr. was taken into custody and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was booked on charges of: Unlawful Carry of a Concealed Weapon, Discharging a Firearm in a Residential Area, Using a Firearm while Under the Influence of Alcohol, and Disorderly Intoxication.
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