News and Investigations

Numerous deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to an east Lakeland neighborhood Tuesday evening, August 19, 2025, after it was reported that a man was shooting in the middle of Jungle Street. 

Deputies were dispatched at 6:54 pm, as witnesses said the man fired several shots in the air, then walked into a residence on Lakewood Court.

When deputies arrived on scene, they made contact with the suspect inside of his residence. He was identified as 36-year old Tadeuzs Jeffrey Chandler.

Based on Mr. Chandler's statements to detectives, his actions were due to his frustrations at his workplace.

Mr. Chandler is a convicted felon and is not permitted to possess a firearm. He stole the firearm (Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7) from one of his relatives.

Tadeuzs Jeffrey Chandler was arrested without incident and taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center where he was charged with: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Grand Theft of a Firearm (F3), Discharging a Firearm in Public (M1), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1), and Disorderly Conduct (M2). 

Nobody was injured, and no damages were reported.