Latest news with #LakelandPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lakeland police, volunteer groups working to find man who went missing May 13
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Lakeland police and a group of volunteers are working to find a man who has been missing for weeks. Frederick Blackwelder, 71, spent most of his time in south Lakeland, where he and other family members live, according to Lakeland Police. '[He] just visits family and attends church so that's the area that he usually stays in,' said Officer Stephanie Kerr, public information officer at Lakeland Police Department. In the wee hours of May 13, police said, Blackwelder was driving toward Bartow on 98 South at 540A. It was the last time his vehicle, a 2006 white Toyota Scion TC with Florida tag number 665-3VY, was seen. 'If the public could just review their videos and see if it's possible that he had been in the area, it would certainly help us in locating him,' Kerr said. Pinellas man blames error on state report for uptick in car insurance rates Volunteer search and recovery group, We Are The Essentials, is also helping to locate him in coordination with the police department. 'These areas in yellow are areas that we've searched,' said Shelley Croft, private investigator and volunteer with We Are The Essentials, pointing to a map app on her phone. Croft said the group uses a mapping system to track where they've gone and where they still need to go, starting at the missing person's last known location. 'We don't just go rogue and go out and start searching because you have to have a starting point,' said Croft. This weekend, We Are The Essentials partnered with Sunshine State Sonar to search 30 bodies of water but found no sign of Blackwelder. 'Everybody deserves that closure,' Croft said. 'The unknown is heartbreaking and devastating for families when they don't know where their loved one is.' Police said Blackwelder was reported missing May 24th after his family members returned from vacation and could not locate him. 'Somebody who is very close to him reported him missing, cares for him and loves him and would like to see him found,' Kerr said. She said no foul play is suspected at this time. Anyone with information and/or videos of Blackwelder's vehicle is urged to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6966. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Purple Alert issued for missing 71-year-old Lakeland man
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida Purple Alert was issued Wednesday for a 71-year-old man from Lakeland. A family member reported Frederick Blackwelder missing after multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach him over the weekend, the Lakeland Police Department said. WATCH: Deputies rescue stranded family after boat gets stuck He was last known to be in the area of the 1500 block of Ariana Street in Lakeland. Police said Blackwelder may be traveling in a 2006 Toyota Scion tC with the Florida license plate 665-3VY. He is about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs around 211 pounds and has grey hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lakeland Police Department's Emergency Communications Center at 863-834-6966. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
1 killed, 1 injured in Lakeland convenience store shooting: Police
The Brief A shooting at a Lakeland convenience store killed one man and injured a 19-year-old female. It happened shortly before 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday at the Fast Stop convenience store, 820 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland. The suspect was apprehended and is being questioned by detectives. LAKELAND, Fla. - A shooting at a Lakeland convenience store left one man dead and wounded a 19-year-old female. What we know According to the Lakeland Police Department, the shooting occurred shortly before 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday at the Fast Stop convenience store, 820 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland. Police say a 39-year-old man was shot and died at the scene. READ:Florida's new farm bill bans mushroom spores, sparking debate A 19-year-old female was also shot and is in stable condition, according to the Lakeland Police Department. The suspect was apprehended and is being questioned by detectives. What we don't know Police have not released any information about the suspect nor have they said what led up to the deadly shooting. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source This story was written with information provided by the Lakeland Police Department. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man arrested for second-degree murder after man shot in Lakeland self-defense shooting at restaurant
The Brief A Florida man was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a man outside a Lakeland restaurant. They said Jesse Banks was killed while Nicholas Lue was trying to "perpetrate the murder of another individual." It was deemed a self-defense shooting after Banks and Lue instigated an argument with a 24-year-old man, who ultimately fired shots, outside the Lakeland restaurant. LAKELAND, Fla. - A Florida man was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a man outside a Lakeland restaurant, according to officers. The Lakeland Police Department said Nicholas Lue, who was also shot during the incident on April 24, is accused in the death of Jesse Banks. They said Banks was killed while Lue was trying to "perpetrate the murder of another individual." RELATED: Man killed, another hurt in self-defense shooting at restaurant: LPD The backstory Lue's arrest stems from what was deemed a self-defense shooting at the Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, located at 1323 Ariana Street. Investigators said Banks and Lue instigated an argument with a 24-year-old man outside the front entrance to the restuarant. Police say Banks hit the 24-year-old man on the head with his fist, and when a fourth man opened the front door, Banks and Lue pointed a gun at him. That's when LPD says the 24-year-old also pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting Banks and Lue. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Banks died at the hospital while Lue survived, according to police. The 24-year-old man who, according to authorities, shot in self-defense did cooperate with Lakeland police as they investigated the shooting. The Source The information in this story was released by the Lakeland Police Department. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lakeland man arrested in deadly shooting stemming from argument over stolen gun: Police
The Brief A Lakeland man was arrested for first-degree murder after shooting and killing a man at a convenience store. Detectives said he shot and killed a man who worked at his house a few weeks before the shooting. They said the suspect believed the victim stole a gun from him during that time. LAKELAND, Fla. - A suspect was arrested Thursday after a deadly shooting at a Lakeland convenience store, officers said. The Lakeland Police Department said Ricardo Zelidon, 59, was arrested after the shooting, which happened before 5 a.m. at the Fast Stop convenience store, which is located at 820 East Memorial Boulevard. READ: Army veteran convicted of killing girlfriend and her 3 kids executed in Florida Dig deeper After arriving at the scene, police said they found Zelidon behind his vehicle with his hands up and the victim, 45-year-old Jessie Woullard inside his vehicle with gunshot wounds. Woullard was taken to Lakeland Regional Health, but was pronounced dead, according to officials. Detectives said they learned Zelidon was at the Fast Stop for several minutes before Woullard arrived. Once the victim pulled into a parking space, Zelidon is accused of pulling up behind his vehicle, blocking him from leaving. Woullard tried to back out, but he wasn't able to, authorities said. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The suspect got out of his vehicle carrying a gun and wearing a ballistic vest, and got into a short argument with Woullard. That's when Zelidon opened Woullard's door and shot him twice, according to investigators. The suspect retreated back to his vehicle and waited for police to arrive. MORE: Accused romance scammer swindles Sun City man out of $800K: HCSO LPD officials said they learned Zelidon paid Woullard to work at his home a few weeks ago and believed Woullard stole a gun during that time. Zelidon was arrested for first-degree murder. The investigation into the shooting remains active. What you can do Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact LPD Detective Biko Duhaney at (863) 834-5918 or The Source The information in this story was released by the Lakeland Police Department. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
