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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 18, 2025
Winter Haven man arrested for shooting in his patio and threatening to kill others
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
PCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence off of Overlook Drive in Winter Haven at around 5:50 pm, after someone reported gunshots and hearing someone threatening to kill people.
When deputies arrived, the suspect was gone.
It was determined that the suspect was 25-year old Coleton Smith, who resides at the residence. Witnesses said that he got upset during an argument, stormed outside, and began shooting a screen door while threatening to kill everyone.
A detective made contact with Coleton via phone, but he refused to give his location. Coleton told the detective that he was not going back to jail.
Haines City police received an anonymous tip that Coleton's vehicle was at Miracle Toyota on US 27. An officer from HCPD responded and took Coleton into custody, and his handgun was recovered.
Coleton Smith refused to cooperate with the PCSO detective's investigation, and he was booked-in at the Polk County Jail, where he was charged with: Use of a Firearm During a Felony, Aggravated Assault (2-Counts), Improper Exhibit of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in a Residential Area, and Culpable Negligence.