Suspect Arrested In Highway Park Shooting

LAKE PLACID - A Lake Placid man remained in Highlands County Jail without bond Monday on a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the May 11 shooting of a Lake Placid man.

Sheriff's investigators arrested Matwain Donyel Bryant, 24, of 149 Zion St., a suspect in the shooting of Sherman Murray Wyche, 26, who was shot six times in the leg and back outside of the Highway Park Liquors, located at 101 Vision St. near Crestmore Drive, in the Highway Park subdivision.

"Due to the number of shots fired, it is apparent the perpetrator was attempting to kill the victim," the arrest report stated.

Wyche was transported to Florida Hospital Lake Placid and then taken by ground transportation in serious condition to Tampa General Hospital where he was treated and discharged on Tuesday, May 13.

A second victim, 18, was shot, then treated and released at Florida Hospital Lake Placid, but he refused to press charges.

Investigators were able to speak with eye-witnesses who said that two men, one accompanied by Bryant and a second accompanied by Wyche, got into a fight. After the fight, witnesses told investigators they saw Bryant pull a handgun from his waistband and fire it at both victims while the fight was still going on, the report stated.

One of the victims told detectives that he saw Bryant was there during the fight, but was not facing him when the shots hit him.

Bryant reportedly denied firing the shots and said he didn't know who fired the gun. He admitted putting a handgun in his waistband while he was at the shooting scene, the report stated.
Bryant also couldn't explain why he threw away his shirt after leaving the scene of the shooting, the report stated.

Bryant refused to take a gunshot residue exam within hours after the shooting, Sheriff's Det. Sgt. Darin Hood said Monday. Bryant was arrested Friday evening at his home, Hood said.

The case is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Anthony McGann, at 863-402-7200 or call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.