Marijuana Argument Leads To Fatal Shooting Of Bartow Man: Police

BARTOW, FL — A 19-year-old man was shot and killed on Tuesday after he and his friend got into a fight with a man over "free marijuana," said a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release.

An 18-year-old man and the victim went to a home in east Bartow outside the city limits for free marijuana, a police news release said.

The 18-year-old told detectives the victim texted him that he knew a place in Bartow where they could get free marijuana. The witness also said that once he was in the victim's car, the victim made comments about stealing the marijuana.

Investigators said that after about 45 minutes, the pair said they needed to leave after the three men smoked together, but the resident asked to be paid first for the marijuana.

The resident and the victim became involved in a fight, which ended when the resident shot the victim twice, authorities said. The witness then drove his friend to a local hospital, where the injured man was pronounced dead.

"This is a classic example of how drug crimes some people consider to be low-level and non-violent can quickly escalate to a violent, and even fatal situation.” said Sheriff Grady Judd in a news release.

Detectives interviewed both the witness and the shooter.

If anyone has information about this shooting they are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

Due to Marsy's Law, the Polk County Sheriff's Office will not release identities.