Lakeland Shooting and Crash Leaves Two Dead in Secret Cove Neighborhood

Photo Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office

Staff Reporter  | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published May 25th, 2025

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Lakeland, FL – A disturbing chain of events in the Secret Cove neighborhood of Lakeland left two men dead Monday afternoon in what authorities believe was a drug-related shooting followed by a fatal crash.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), deputies responded around 1:30 PM on May 12, 2025, to a report of a vehicle that crashed into a residence on Pirates Way, located just off Reynolds Road.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered a white 2019 Mercedes that had crashed entirely into a bedroom of the home. Inside the vehicle, 19-year-old Davin Boutwell of Mulberry was found deceased from a gunshot wound. Beneath the vehicle, 38-year-old Nathaniel Jones of Lakeland, who had been riding a motorized bicycle, was also found dead.

“We suspect that the driver was shot while participating in a drug transaction,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “We know that one person was the trigger man, and we know that others were involved. It seems the gentleman who was hit by the car was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Investigators say Mr. Jones was riding his electric bicycle along Pirates Way when he was struck and fatally run overby the Mercedes, which then continued into the house. Authorities found two bags of marijuana and a large amount of cash inside the crashed vehicle, further pointing to the possibility of an illegal transaction.

PCSO detectives are continuing to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as the investigation unfolds. No suspects have been named at this time, but Sheriff Judd indicated that multiple individuals are believed to have been involved in the incident.

The residence that was struck suffered extensive damage, but no one inside was injured.

Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

This remains a developing story. For ongoing coverage and updates, visit iSkyNews.com.

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Lakeland Shooting and Crash Leaves Two Dead in Secret Cove Neighborhood

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