News and Investigations

Three deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were uninjured during a shoot-out with an armed suspect, but a PCSO K9 was seriously wounded.

27-year-old Angel Bowers of Lakeland was shot and killed by the deputies Thursday night, August 6, 2026, after Bowers began shooting at them. K9 Ace was shot once in the chest by Bowers. The bullet entered Ace’s chest and traveled to his left front leg, breaking his leg and tearing an artery.

Ace was immediately picked up by his handler, Deputy Sheriff Natalie Oestreich, and driven to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in south Lakeland. He was stabilized there, and then flown via Tampa General Hospital’s Aeromed helicopter to Veterniary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton.

At around 9 pm Thursday, the deputies attempted to locate Bowers due to him having an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Unlawful Sex with a Minor. The deputies learned he was staying inside a tent within a wooded area near Rushing Road and Chart Prine Road in Lakeland.

As the deputies approached the tent, they were unable to see inside of it. They called out to Bowers, telling him to come outside.  At that time, Bowers fired several shots out of the tent and toward the deputies. That is when K9 Ace was shot. 

The deputies returned fire into the tent. After the shooting stopped, they could hear moaning come from inside the tent but were still unable to see inside.

Once deputies were able to get into the tent, they found Bowers deceased with his firearm still in his hand. 

“Angel Bowers got exactly what he asked for; we obliged him. He shot at my deputies and they shot back at him—a lot. It was by the Grace of God that the deputies were not injured. K9 Ace, while he was injured, got medical treatment quickly, and it is my hope that he can recover.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff. 

Per standard protocol, there are four investigations currently 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; the Polk County Medical Examiner conducts the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death; and all investigative findings are forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office for their investigation and review.