A tragic incident unfolded in Davenport, Florida, when a birthday celebration turned deadly. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 27-year-old Orlando man was fatally shot, and a 26-year-old woman from Sanford was injured during a birthday party at an Airbnb rental on Robin Road.
The party was organized to celebrate the first birthday of a child. The house was rented for the occasion, and friends and family were invited to join the celebration. The shooting occurred outside the house when the male victim was returning after handing over two plates of food to individuals in a car.
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the suspects in the car opened fire on the man as he was heading back into the house, killing him. The woman was shot through the front door. “The woman managed to open the door and drag the first victim, who had multiple gunshot wounds, inside the house before the vehicle sped away from the scene,” Judd explained.
Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where the man succumbed to his injuries, and the woman received treatment for a gunshot wound.
Sheriff Judd believes two suspects are involved in the incident. The sheriff’s office is actively searching for them and has offered a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. “We owe it to the victims’ families to find out who committed this heinous crime,” Judd stated.
Airbnb has also responded to the incident, expressing condolences to those affected by the violence. A spokesperson confirmed that the party was unauthorized, meaning the host was not aware and did not consent to it. The company is investigating the incident and has offered support to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. “We’re still trying to understand why this happened. Was the food served cold? Was it a ploy to get him outside? All of this is under investigation,” Judd said.