News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Aug 20, 2025

Lakeland man arrested after firing gunshots in the street over his job frustrations

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Numerous deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to an east Lakeland neighborhood Tuesday evening, August 19, 2025, after it was reported that a man was shooting in the middle of Jungle Street.

Deputies were dispatched at 6:54 pm, as witnesses said the man fired several shots in the air, then walked into a residence on Lakewood Court.

When deputies arrived on scene, they made contact with the suspect inside of his residence. He was identified as 36-year old Tadeuzs Jeffrey Chandler.

Based on Mr. Chandler's statements to detectives, his actions were due to his frustrations at his workplace.

Mr. Chandler is a convicted felon and is not permitted to possess a firearm. He stole the firearm (Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7) from one of his relatives.

Tadeuzs Jeffrey Chandler was arrested without incident and taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center where he was charged with: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Grand Theft of a Firearm (F3), Discharging a Firearm in Public (M1), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1), and Disorderly Conduct (M2).

Nobody was injured, and no damages were reported.