CNN
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The number of victims injured in a shooting in Lakeland, Florida on Monday rose to 11 after another victim drove himself to the hospital, according to Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor.
Lakeland police said the incident was a “targeted attack” in the vicinity of Lakeland, CNN reported.
Two of the eleven victims are listed in critical condition and have “very serious injuries” – including a man who was shot in the face and another shot in the stomach. Taylor said investigators spoke to nine other victims – who are believed to be survivors – about the shooting, Taylor said at a briefing Tuesday morning.
Taylor said police recovered a blue Nissan in Lakeland that matched the one used in Monday afternoon’s shooting. The sheriff said investigators have “high confidence” that they have located the vehicle used in the shooting.
The sheriff said they were trying to expedite lab results from evidence found inside the vehicle. He said a gun was among the items found in the vehicle.
Taylor said four people were in the car when it drove past and at least two opened fire outside the vehicle. The sheriff said no one is in custody at this time but investigators have some “very promising leads” and at least one suspect has been identified.
According to Taylor, police are looking for at least four men who may have been wearing face coverings. He urged members of the public to call in with any information they may have to help with the investigation.
In a joint effort with Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida, police station on monday offers a reward of $5,000 to anyone who provides information that could lead to the identification and arrest of suspects involved in the shooting. Information can be reported at 1-900-226 TIPS (8477).
At the crime scene, police found a “quantity” of marijuana, which indicates to the police that “there was a drug or marijuana trafficking operation going on at the time,” Taylor said. speak. “Whether that is important or related to this is still unknown.”
Officials declined to provide more information about the vehicle and the registered owner.
Taylor stressed that investigators are working around the clock to gather evidence and file arrest warrants for those responsible.
“This is something that doesn’t happen in Lakeland. I’ve been here 34 years and I can tell you I’ve never worked on an event where so many people were shot at once,” he said.
