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 a 20-year-old man outside the home.

While not identifying the other man, the Sheriff’s Office said he and Thomas went to Lake Wales High School together and had a disagreement.

During the argument, the resident of the home armed himself with a rifle and shot at Thomas several times, hitting him at least twice, the Sheriff’s Office said. The shooter remained at the scene and cooperated with detectives.

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

Lake Wales man, 19, fatally shot during dispute last night in Lake Wales;shooter in custody

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit is investigating a fatalshooting that occurred last evening in Lake Wales.

According to the preliminary investigation so far, 21-year-old Vincent Thomas,Jr., and at least three others drove to a residence on Northside Drive in LakeWales around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Thomas got out of the cararmed with a handgun, and confronted a 20-year-old male outside the residence,threatening to shoot him.

The two men went to Lake Wales High together, knew each other, and apparentlyhad some disagreement with each other.

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.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: PCSO: Lake Wales man fatally shot after threatening another with a gun