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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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. 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.
Jul 12, 2021
PCSO investigating a shooting and suicide at a bar in unincorporated Lake Wales
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted murder at the Y’all Come Back Saloon (3230 SR 60 East) in unincorporated Lake Wales that occurred on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The shooter fatally shot himself.
At around 8:30 p.m., PCSO deputies, Lake Wales police officers, and Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) responded to the bar where they found two males with gunshot wounds on the ground.
According to the evidence collected and witness statements so far, several times on Saturday, 41-year-old Kevin Cooper of Lake Wales called and harassed his ex-girlfriend. He was upset that she had broken-off the relationship and had begun dating someone new.
Cooper knew his ex-girlfriend would be at the bar that night and went there, detectives believe, with the intent to shoot her. When he entered the bar, Cooper approached his ex-girlfriend and shot at her. She was grazed by the bullets, and only suffered minor injuries. She was treated by PCFR at the scene.
Cooper then shot his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend, who was sitting at the bar, hitting him twice. Cooper then shot himself in the head.
The male victim was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated and is currently in critical but stable condition.
Cooper was also transported to a local hospital and died from his injuries.
This investigation is still on-going.
“Domestic violence is extremely serious, and often affects more than just the two people involved. Luckily, in this instance, one of the victims was not critically injured – and we’re hopeful the other victim will survive. If you are in an abusive relationship, get help. There are resources available to help victims of domestic violence.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Cooper’s prior criminal history includes 11 felonies for Domestic Violence Battery, Domestic Violence Kidnapping, Domestic Violence Stalking, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Grand Theft, Burglary, Dealing in Stolen Property, False Verification to a Pawn Broker, and Possession of Methamphetamine.