POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Tuesday morning gathering involving alcohol and inhalants spiraled into violence this week, leaving one man shot and a 28-year-old suspect facing a litany of felonies, including attempted second-degree murder.
The incident occurred during the early morning hours of Dec. 16 at a residence on Memory Lane in Polk City. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a group of friends had gathered to drink alcohol and “partake in some huffing.” At some point during the party, Austin Morris began arguing with another man.
Witnesses say Morris was sitting in the driver’s seat of a white GMC Canyon while the victim stood nearby. As the argument escalated, Morris allegedly pulled a firearm from inside the vehicle and opened fire, striking the man in the torso between his ribcage and hip…