Click Here for ADA Accessible Format

Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200

If in an emergency Dial 911

Polk County Sheriff Facebook Polk County Sheriff Twitter Polk County Sheriff Instagram Polk County Sheriff Youtube

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Jun 3, 2021

Lakeland man arrested for attempted murder after shooting and aggravated assault

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator

On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 22-year-old Pierre Drahorad of Gibson Oaks Drive in Lakeland, and charged him with: 

• Attempted first degree murder (FL)
• 3 counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (F3)
• Aggravated assault on a person over 65 years of age (F2)
• Discharging a firearm from a vehicle (F2)
• Improper use or display of a firearm (F2)
• Tampering with evidence (F3)
• Reckless driving (M2)

The investigation began during the late evening hours of June 1, 2021, when PCSO received a 911 call from a female victim who reported that a man driving an orange Dodge Challenger had just shot one of her family members in the face, and was following her as she fled the scene with an elderly family member, a teen, and a child in her car. The victim reported that the driver of the orange car pointed a handgun with a laser at her while also trying to run her off the road. Deputies met the victim at a safe location, and sent out a BOLO (be on the lookout) description of the suspect vehicle. The victim who was shot was treated at the original scene of the shooting with a non-life-threatening wound to his face - the injury appeared as if he had been grazed by the projectile.

Shortly after arriving in the area, deputies spotted an orange Dodge Challenger that matched the vehicle description, and conducted a traffic stop. They identified the driver and sole occupant as Drahorad. Drahorad admitted to owning a Glock 26 with a laser site, but denied shooting anyone with it or chasing after the other victims. He told deputies he gave the gun to a friend of his that evening - deputies responded to the friend's residence, and retrieved the firearm. Drahorad was positively identified by all of the victims. His vehicle was towed and the car and firearm are being processed at this time.

Drahorad told deputies that he pointed the laser from the gun at the male victim while the victim was standing in his own driveway because he believed the victim stole Drahorad's dog. He denied pointing the firearm, or shooting it. 

"This was an extremely dangerous situation that very well could have resulted in several deaths. Clearly this suspect has anger issues, and should not have access to firearms. We're glad the victims were able to get away from him and that our deputies were able to apprehend him so swiftly." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Drahorad remains in the Polk County Jail on no bond for the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges.