POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 54-year-old Bartow man, Christopher Kayon Mathis, found himself behind bars after a bizarre and violent incident on April 23rd. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) apprehended Mathis following a reported aggravated battery where he allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon and threatened the victim with a firearm.
The incident unfolded around 3:17 PM on Warfield Drive in Bartow. According to the PCSO, deputies responded to a call where a man claimed Mathis intentionally struck him with a 2004 Buick Century. The situation escalated further when Mathis allegedly exited the vehicle, brandished a gun, and threatened to kill the victim.
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Authorities stated that Mathis discharged one round into the air before fleeing the scene, leaving behind an unusual piece of evidence: a single sandal slide.
PCSO deputies located Mathis a short time later in the front yard of a residence on Kathy Road. Adding to the peculiarity of the situation, Mathis was reportedly still wearing only one sandal slide.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Mathis admitted to the allegations, stating his intention was merely to scare the victim. He also reportedly told deputies that he had discarded the firearm in a nearby wooded area.
The motive behind Mathis’ alleged actions stemmed from a belief that the victim had stolen from him.
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A background check revealed a lengthy criminal history for Mathis, including prior convictions for Possession of Cocaine, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting without Violence, and Lewd Assault – Act in the Presence of a Child. He is also a registered sex offender.
As a result of the Warfield Drive incident, Mathis now faces a significant list of new felony and misdemeanor charges: Aggravated Battery w/ Deadly Weapon (F2), Aggravated Assault w/ Deadly Weapon (F3), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon (F2), Use/Display Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (F2), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1), Discharge a Firearm in Residential Area (M1), Tampering w/ Physical Evidence (F3), and Culpable Negligence (M2).
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Mathis was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. Authorities noted that he has since been provided with a new pair of slides while in custody.
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