Lake Wales man fatally shot after threatening another man while armed, PCSO says

A Lake Wales man was fatally shot Tuesday night after he confronted another man outside a residence while armed, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

According to a Sheriff's Office news release, Vincent Thomas Jr., 21, and at least three other people drove to a home on Northside Drive in Lake Wales about 7 p.m. There, Thomas got out of the car armed with a handgun and confronted Bernard Smith, 20, outside the home, threatening to shoot him.

The Sheriff's Office said Smith and Thomas went to Lake Wales High School together and had a disagreement.

During the argument, Smith armed himself with a rifle and shot at Thomas several times, hitting him at least twice, the Sheriff's Office said. Smith remained at the scene and cooperated with detectives.

Artificial intelligence:Polk County Sheriff's Office creates new lab with Florida Poly

Thomas was taken to AdventHealth Lake Wales hospital by his friends, where he died. Two of those friends — Jacaree Taylor, 19, and Dairius Williams, 23, both of Lake Wales — were arrested on charges of tampering with evidence and providing false information to law enforcement during a felony investigation, the Sheriff's Office said.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information about the shooting contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways: call 888-400 TIPS (888-400-8477); dial **TIPS from a cell phone; visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip"; or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.