FL Man Charged With Murder In Fatal Lakeland Shooting

LAKELAND, FL — A Winter Haven man is facing several charges, including on suspicion of second-degree murder, after being accused of fatally shooting a person Saturday night in the 5500 block of Deeson Road, authorities said.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said Sunday authorities were alerted around 11:15 p.m. to Deeson, where they found 31-year-old Shannon Owens being detained by several witnesses.

Authorities said the witnesses found Owens attempting to remove the body of a person who had an upper-body gunshot wound.

The victim, who was not identified, spoke with Owens after arriving at the Deeson property; and soon after, authorities said a gunshot was heard. A motive in the deadly shooting is unknown.

"I commend the work of our deputies and detectives who worked hard to determine what happened and hold the person responsible for this murder accountable," Hillborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release.

According to Hillsborough County Jail records, Owens remained incarcerated Monday.

Aside from second-degree murder, jail records show Owens was also charged on suspicion of possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine (for an out of county warrant) and two counts of battery of a law enforcement officer/firefighter/EMS (for two out of county warrants).