News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Mar 4, 2019

Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives conducting a death investigation

Media Contact: Sherrie Morgan, PIO

On Saturday, March 2, 2019, PCSO deputies responded to the Citgo Food Market, located at 4660 Highway 17 North in Bartow at 8:56 p.m., in reference to a shooting. The victim, 29-year-old Julian Garcia, was located lying on the Citgo parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound.

Polk County Fire Rescue arrived and Garcia was transported to LRHMC where he later died.

Detectives learned that Mr. Garcia was visiting family in Polk County from Apopka. According to family, Mr. Garcia became upset while visiting at his mother's residence because of family issues. He and his adult sister left the residence to go to the Citgo store to get out of the house.

While at the store, Garcia approached and attacked 28-year-old Joshua Jay Pacheco from the Bartow area who was standing outside the Citgo store. It is unknown why Garcia attacked him. Mr. Garcia is seen chasing Pacheco. The two eventually move off the surveillance camera where Pacheco shot Garcia. Pacheco then left the area after he shot Garcia. It is believed, based upon the investigation, that the two men did not know each other prior to the shooting.

Pacheco has two felony convictions: carrying a concealed firearm (Orange County; 10/7/2014) and driving while license is suspended 3rd or subsequent offense out of Polk County (4/24/2018). He is on probation until 11/27/2020.

An arrest warrant has been obtained for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of probation for Pacheco. Detectives also want to talk to him about the shooting.

If anyone has information regarding Pacheco's whereabouts they are asked to call 863-298-6200 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers. Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," or download the free "P3tips" app on a smartphone or tablet. Callers to Crime Stoppers will always remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.