Plant City murder suspect Alex Antunez arrested after AR-15 shooting

Florida Highway Patrol and the Plant City Police Department arrested Alex Antunez in connection to the fatally shooting of a man with a black AR-15 style rifle.

Antunez, 26, reportedly was outside of his home in the 100 block of South Forest Street with the unidentified victim and witness. Police said the three men were talking when Antunez entered his home.

The adult male victim and the witness remained outside drinking beer, police said.

Antunez exited the home with the black AR-15 style rifle, pointed it at the victim at close range and fired multiple times.

They said Antunez pointed the rifle at the witness but no shots were fired.

Additionally, Antunez did fire several rounds into an occupied home in the 1300 block of East Church Street, which was reported by the homeowner.

The witness left and told police he was afraid of being shot by the suspect, officials said.

Antunez left the area in a red Chevrolet Cruz that belonged to his wife.

Florida Highway Patrol located the vehicle and Antunez along eastbound Interstate 4 in Davenport at 12:02 a.m. Sunday.

The Chevrolet was disabled in the emergency lane with hazard lights flashing.

Troopers said Antunez was spotted walking on the eastbound lanes of the highway. They said he was wearing blue jeans with no shirt. He admitted to wearing .22 caliber silver handgun, which was strapped to his ankle, upon questioning. The officer said it was missing.

Antunez then told the trooper he was shot in the leg, but the trooper found no sign of a gunshot wound anywhere on Antunez’s body. When asked if Antunez had been injured, Antunez said “he was not.”

Haines City Police officers and a K-9 unit arrived along with Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies to search for the missing handgun, but the weapon was never found.

Antunez said the weapon must’ve fallen from his leg somewhere along the right shoulder of the highway, but no weapon was found.

The man was arrested on several charges, including a felon possessing a firearm, felon possessing ammunition, shooting at or in a business and a second degree murder charge, according to Polk County records.

Alex Antunez,

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