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Highlands Today

Murder Reported In Lacey Hills

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: January 7, 2008

AVON PARK — The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting murder near the old Beachfront at West Garrett and Alabama roads. It's the first homicide of the year.

"We had a homicide by Squally's bar at the Beachfront," said Sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle on Monday.
The shooting happened sometime about 10:30 a.m. Monday, when the sheriff's office received a 911 call, he said.

At about 10:41 a.m. Monday, the sheriff's office began receiving telephone calls reporting the shooting in the area of Garrett Road, according to a sheriff's press release.

Sheriff's deputies arriving on scene found a male gunshot victim. Emergency Medical Services personnel determined the victim was dead.

The sheriff's office is not releasing the name of the victim, pending notification of the next of kin. Detectives were actively following up leads, but no arrest had been made.

There have been no arrests, said sheriff's Lt. Tim Lethbridge, who recently replaced Lt. John Chess, over the criminal investigations division.

"I've got every detective we have working on this case," he said Monday.

The cause of death will ultimately be determined by the District 10 Medical Examiner's Office, he said.
It was not clear what the motive for the shooting may have been. The Lacey Hills neighborhood is well-known as a high drug traffic area, and the frequent subject sting operations by the sheriff's Drug Task Force in efforts to put a dent in illegal drug sales.

Sheriff's investigators learned that there were witnesses to the shooting who left the area prior to the arrival of deputies.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at 863-402-7200.

Check back for updates

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