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 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.

Mar 8, 2023

Westwood Middle School student arrested for stabbing a classmate

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

On Wednesday March 8, 2023, PCSO deputies arrested 15-year-old Aalijah Parker of Winter Haven after he stabbed a 14-year-old male student at Westwood Middle School in Winter Haven. He is being charged with multiple felonies.

The 14-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital, and the parents have been notified.

The following is preliminary information, and could change as detectives continue to investigate this incident.

At around 1:09 p.m. deputies responded to Westwood Middle School (3520 Ave J NW) in Winter Haven to the report of a student being stabbed. Westwood Middle School immediately went on a lockdown status while deputies searched for the suspect.

Deputies learned that Parker and the victim were fighting on campus, when Parker stabbed the victim with a fixed blade kitchen knife (similar to a paring knife). Parker then fled the school campus and was located and arrested at about 1:43 p.m. at a relative’s home nearby.

Westwood Middle School lifted the lockdown at around 2:00 p.m.

Parker told deputies he threw the knife behind a trailer in the area and then took deputies to the location. The deputies found the knife exactly where Parker said it would be.

“This is outrageous violent criminal behavior that we are not going to tolerate. This student is facing some serious felony charges. I’m proud of the partnership we have with Polk County Public Schools and my deputies’ quick actions. Our prayers are with the victim and we are hoping for a fast recovery.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Aalijah Parker was charged with:
• Attempted First Degree Murder (FL)
• Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds (F3)
• Written Threat to Kill (F2)
• Tampering with Evidence (F3)
• Affray (M1)
• Disruption of School (M2)

He was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

The 14-year-old victim was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries.

*Per Florida State Statute 119 information about juveniles charged with felonies is public record.