WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A second arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred at the Abbey Lane Apartments on Monday, January 27, 2025.
17-year-old Christian Rodriguez, the initial victim who was pistol-whipped during the altercation, has been identified as the shooter and taken into custody. Rodriguez, who was driving the vehicle that arrived at the apartments, was injured during the incident and fled to a walk-in clinic in Dundee for treatment.
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Investigation revealed that a Risk Protection Order (RPO) had been issued against Rodriguez on October 18, 2024, prohibiting him from possessing firearms. Additionally, his driver’s license was suspended in July 2024.
Working with the State Attorney’s Office, a juvenile pick-up order was obtained, and Rodriguez was arrested on January 31, 2025. He is charged with Violation of an RPO, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
“This is absolutely tragic all the way around,” said Police Chief Vance Monroe. “These kids had their whole lives ahead of them, and now one family is mourning the loss of a son, one is [in] jail facing second-degree murder charges, and another kid is now facing charges that could alter his whole life. The gun violence must stop!”
This arrest follows the earlier arrest of 18-year-old Devonta Tremaine Washington, Jr., who was charged with Second Degree Murder for his role in allegedly arranging the robbery attempt that led to the shooting.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
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