A gang member accidentally fatally shot his girlfriend in Mulberry early Thursday morning but blamed it on a rival gang and started a gunfight, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua Clark, 35, and Jose Luis Coronado, 34, met up on Levins Road in the Willow Oak area west of Mulberry early Thursday morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a Thursday morning news conference near the scene.
The two men arrived in their vehicles, and Coronado had Mary Dino, 28, as a passenger.
Judd said the two men got into an argument and Clark headed back to his vehicle to de-escalate. Judd said both men were involved in the methamphetamine trade.
Coronado reached into his vehicle to grab a firearm, Judd said. As Coronado grabbed the gun, it discharged, fatally shooting Dino in the chest.
Dino called out to Coronado, according to Judd, who asked if she had been hit. Dino said “yes.”
“He pulls out of the car with his firearm and starts shooting at Joshua Clark, blaming him for the reason that he shot his girlfriend,” Judd said.
A gunfight ensued before both men left the area. Coronado brought Dino to a different street, laying her on the tailgate of a truck. Judd said Coronado asked bystanders to help Dino by taking her to the hospital or calling 911, admitting he had a warrant out for his arrest.
Coronado has an arrest warrant for failure to appear in court on charges of trafficking methamphetamine in Hillsborough County.
Polk deputies caught up with Coronado about 15 to 20 miles away on U.S. 17 north of Fort Meade. They engaged in a pursuit, performing a PIT maneuver on Coronado’s car to run him off the road. They then took Coronado into custody, Judd said.
Clark remained at large as of the 8:30 a.m. news conference, Judd said. Deputies are looking for him.
The investigation is ongoing, Judd said. The sheriff said the details may change as more information comes to light.
Brian’s cellmate: Nail ’em up, I say! Nail some sense into them!