POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A birthday celebration near Lake Wales on Saturday took a dramatic and unexpected turn when one partygoer’s “gifts” included a pair of silver bracelets, an orange jumpsuit, and a complimentary ride to the Polk County Jail.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies were “invited” to the festivities on Tiger Lake Road at approximately 8:00 PM after reports surfaced of an individual discharging a firearm into the ground following a dispute.
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The shooter was identified as 42-year-old Jacinto Castillo of Lake Wales.
Upon arrival, deputies found Castillo on the front porch of the residence and instructed him to approach them. However, Castillo disregarded commands and instead retreated inside the house.
Prioritizing safety, deputies swiftly escorted a woman and several children from the home to a secure location.
For a period, deputies patiently attempted to de-escalate the volatile situation, despite Castillo’s initial refusal to cooperate. Their efforts ultimately proved successful, and Castillo eventually surrendered to authorities. Deputies subsequently recovered a handgun and an AR-15 rifle from the premises.
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Jacinto Castillo was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Polk County Jail. He faces charges of Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, Culpable Negligence Exposing Others to Harm, and two counts of Resisting without Violence.
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