47-Year-Old Lakeland Man Fatally Shot At Apartment Complex

LAKELAND, FL – Lakeland Police are investigating a shooting death that occurred Friday, April 27 around 2:24 p.m.

Police received a call that someone had been shot at an apartment complex on Unitah Avenue. When they arrived, they found Otniel Alvarez, 47, of 1208 Unitah Ave., Apartment 3, on the ground in front of his apartment building with a gunshot wound to the lower right side of his abdomen.

Officers began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived and transported Alvarez to Lakeland Regional Health where he underwent emergency surgery. He was pronounced dead at 5:35 p.m.

While officers were on the scene, Blane Odane Thompson, 24, approached them and said he was the person who shot Alvarez.

Thompson said there had been an ongoing dispute between Alvarez and his family.

He told police that, before the shooting occurred, he was in the driver’s seat of his car in the parking lot when Alvarez rushed to the driver’s window and attempted to head-butt him.

Thompson said Alvarez began to reach in the front of his pants while threatening to kill Thompson.

Believing that his safety was in jeopardy, Thompson said he pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired one round that struck Alvarez in the abdomen.

Detectives learned from family members that Alvarez had been previously diagnosed with several psychological disorders when he lived in Cuba and that it had been 20 years since he received treatment. Alvarez had been known to become violent at times and had been taken into custody under the mental health law in Florida commonly referred to as a “Baker Act.”

The investigation is ongoing at this time and no charges have been filed.

Image via Lakeland Police