News and Investigations

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to Eagle Lake on Sunday morning, March 16th at around 3:26 am, after receiving numerous calls about someone shooting out of a pickup truck.

Callers reported that the shots were coming from a black Ford F-150.

The following is the chain of events:

The Ford F-150 left from a residence in the Eagle Hammock neighborhood off of Eagle Lake Loop Road. A single gunshot was fired into the air.

The truck stopped at the boat ramp at Lake McCloud, and several more shots were fired into the lake.

The truck then traveled to the RaceTrac north of Eagle Lake at US 17 and State Road 540. The tires began squealing intentionally, and it was witnessed by two PCSO members (a Crime Information Center Operator and a Crime Analyst) who were taking a meal break at the store. The PCSO members got the tag number and called in the reckless behavior.

While leaving the RaceTrac, another gunshot was fired (into the ground) out of the truck window.

The Ford F-150 traveled west and pulled into the Circle K at SR 540 and Spirit Lake, and another gun shot was fired.

Deputies located the Ford F-150 a short time later and conducted a traffic stop at the RaceTrac on SR 540 at Thornhill Rd., and the four occupants were detained.

Two of the occupants were juveniles, and were not charged. They were released to their parents.

The two adult occupants were determined to be the ones who fired the guns. They were identified as 21-year old Evan Thompson of Bartow and 22-year old Devon Mailhot of Eagle Lake.

Two firearms were recovered from the truck--a PSA Dagger 9mm and a S&W Shield 9mm. The S&W was reported stolen in Hernando County in 2023.

Evan and Devon were arrested and both were charged with two-counts of Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle within 1000-feet of a Person (F2).

The investigation remains ongoing.