POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A deputy fired his weapon at a “documented gang member” after the suspect crashed his vehicle into multiple law enforcement vehicles, injuring one deputy before the man crashed into another vehicle, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a news release, the incident started at a Sunoco gas station located at 1502 Recker Highway near Avenue O SW in Winter Haven.
Recommended Videos
Deputies said that around 2:45 p.m. on Monday, they attempted to arrest the man, who was “in possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamine” in front of the Sunoco.
According to the release, the suspect – later identified as 39-year-old Tonyo Evans – drove away from the scene in a vehicle, crashed into multiple law enforcement vehicles, and forced a deputy to the ground, injuring him in the process.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
A deputy fired several shots at the Evans, hitting Evan’s vehicle, but he was not hit, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said they were able to arrest Evans about a mile away after he crashed into another vehicle after crossing the railroad tracks on North Lake Shipp Drive.
According to the release, two people in the other vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies said that Evans has an “extensive criminal history.”
Tentative charges against Evans include multiple counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, trafficking in methamphetamine, fleeing to elude, and other charges, according to the release.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred this afternoon at the Sunoco store at 1502 Recker Hwy, near Ave. O SW, in Winter Haven. Nobody was injured due to gunfire.
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) June 2, 2025
At approximately 2:45 pm on Monday, June 2, 2025, PCSO… pic.twitter.com/bYKDngWeRB
Sheriff Grady Judd said that “per standard protocol,” there are three investigations underway:
- An independent investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer-Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) Task Force
- An internal investigation by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit
- All investigative findings will be forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review.