On Monday, May 12, 2025, at around 1:30 pm, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a home on Pirates Way in Lakeland, following a report of a car striking a residence.

When deputies arrived in the Secret Cove neighborhood just off of Reynolds Road, they found a white 2019 Mercedes completely inside of a bedroom.

First responders found that the driver in the car was deceased with a gunshot wound, and discovered there was also a man under the car who was also deceased.

The driver was identified as 19-year old Davin Boutwell of Mulberry.

The victim under the car was identified as 38-year old Nathaniel Jones of Lakeland.

As the investigation began, PCSO detectives spoke with witnesses and collected evidence and video from nearby security cameras. 

Two bags of marijuana and a large stack of cash were discovered in the Mercedes. 

"We suspect that the driver was shot while participating in a drug transaction. We know that one person was the trigger man, and we know that others were involved. At this stage in the investigation, tit seems that the gentleman who was hit by the car was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Prior to the shooting, Mr. Jones was riding an electric bicycle on Pirates Way when he was run over by the Mercedes. 

The investigation is ongoing.