News and Investigations

45-year-old Mayson Armando Ortiz-Vazquez of Orlando went on a rampage through a Lakeland neighborhood Friday morning, August 28, 2020, and was fatally shot by a resident during a home invasion.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office was notified of the occupied burglary/home-invasion as it was occurring at about 6:12 a.m.

When deputies arrived at the home, which is located in the area of Old Polk City Road and Walt Williams Road, they found Ortiz-Vazquez incapacitated and bleeding. They began life-saving measures until he was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Nobody else involved was injured.

"At this point in the investigation, all of the evidence indicates that the resident acted in self-defense, and ultimately, the State Attorney's Office will rule on the case. This is the second time in less than a week that a resident has been forced to use deadly force to protect themselves and others. If you break into someone's home committing a forcible felony, you likely will be shot." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect had been in the area to purchase and use illegal drugs. He was driving north on Old Polk City Road, accompanied by a woman, who was also from Orlando.

Ortiz-Vazquez's vehicle began swerving across the road before crashing through a chain link fence. He then ran to a school bus that had just picked up a child. He attempted to get into the bus, but the driver managed to keep the door closed.

He then jumped onto a car that was driving through the area, and rolled off. The driver of the car drove down the road and called 911.

Ortiz-Vazquez jumped on the hood of another passing car, breaking the windshield, and fled. That driver reported that the man was growling.

Finally, he ran to a home which was occupied by a 9-year-old child, that boy's parents, and grandparents. Ortiz-Vazquez broke through a long glass panel in the home's front door, and entered inside. The father in the home grabbed a firearm and tried to get the man to leave. Instead, Ortiz-Vazquez picked up the glass panel and threw it, at which time the father shot the intruder.

The investigation is ongoing.

Mayson Armando Ortiz-Vazquez has been to state prison once and his prior criminal history consists of five felonies and four misdemeanors, including charges for Felony Battery, Burglary, Obstruction of Justice, Filing a False Report, and Contempt.