LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man is in custody following a fatal shooting and an hours-long standoff with police. The incident unfolded Tuesday evening at a mobile home park on New Tampa Highway.
At approximately 5:58 p.m., Lakeland Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered that 49-year-old Joseph Gray had been shot by his brother-in-law, 40-year-old Jermaine Harrison, inside Gray’s residence. Harrison then fled to a neighboring residence.
Gray was transported to Lakeland Regional Health but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
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According to the victim’s wife, Harrison had been acting erratically and was possibly under the influence of drugs. He entered their home, demanded the mail he was expecting, and then pointed a gun at his sister before shooting a laundry hamper beside her. He then shot Gray multiple times.
Harrison then forced his way into a neighboring residence occupied by a woman, threatening her with a handgun to prevent her from contacting authorities. When law enforcement arrived, the woman was able to escape while Harrison was distracted.
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Officers secured the scene and surrounded the residence where Harrison was barricaded. After a standoff lasting several hours, Harrison was taken into custody at 1:27 a.m. without further incident.
Harrison has been charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling, Armed Kidnapping, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
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