Winter Haven police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man in "an act that appears to be negligence in the handling of a firearm," according to Chief David Brannan.

A fire at a building under construction in Winter Haven prompted the evacuation of a nearby apartment complex, according to police.

A crash shut down part of Highway 17 in Winter Haven.

A Polk County Public Schools bus attendant was arrested after police said she beat an 11-year-old with a belt.

A missing and endangered 13-year-old girl has been found safe and reunited with her family, the Winter Haven Police Department said Thursday.

Police said as the elderly man was walking out of the Publix at Southeast Plaza along Cypress Gardens Boulevard, a pewter-colored Ford F250 came close to the man.

An officer from the Winter Haven Police Department was arrested on Sunday following a dispute with a man in the parking lot of Vista Del Lago in Winter Haven, police said.

Floridino’s Italian Kitchen in Winter Haven will be closed until further notice after it suffered fire damage on Sunday.

The Winter Haven Police Department is seeking assistance to locate a missing 17-year-old girl who is believed to be with a 51-year-old man. Police said Jesse Crabbe left her Winter Haven home to possibly be with Brian Demorest, 51. Police said they may be in area campgrounds. “Crabbe’s family and authorities are desperate to find her and ask the public to call if anyone has seen her or knows where she may be,” Winter Haven police said in a Facebook post. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Crabbe and Demorest is asked to call 863-401-2256.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A high school student in Polk County was arrested after authorities found a loaded handgun in his backpack. According to the Winter Haven Police Department, while classes were changing Friday, a teacher at Winter Haven High School smelled marijuana on 18-year-old DeShawn Lee Williams. The teacher then sent a message to the school administration and an assistant principal came to assist. “The assistant principal asked Williams to allow his backpack to be searched,” officers said. “As the backpack was searched by school officials, they found a loaded handgun inside,” officers added.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Winter Haven Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened Saturday night. According to authorities, a 14 year-old suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result. Investigators said calls were received around 9 p.m. regarding loud music and crowds near the area of MLK Bvld. As people began to disperse, a 14 year-old boy ran up to one of the officers stating that he had been shot, investigators said. “Investigators continue to interview witnesses and ask if anyone has information regarding the incident contact Detective Maldonado at 863-401-2256,” officers said.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A man was arrested after he pointed a stolen rifle at officers, disobeyed orders to drop the firearm, and was eventually taken down by a K9, according to the Winter Haven Police Department. Police responded to 16th Street Northeast Tuesday after receiving calls in reference to a man who was walking in the middle of the street with what appeared to be a rifle, according to a news release. After being commanded by officers to do so, Nerio to dropped the rifle, but refused to walk away from the weapon. He was then taken into custody without further incident and transported to Winter Haven Health for treatment from the dog bite, according to police. Investigators said the rifle that Nerio had is listed as stolen out of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Officers are searching for Amber Jones, 15, she has been missing since Feb. 3, according to the Winter Haven Police Department. Police said she left her home on Chandler Driver in Winter Haven around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 3. Amber has not contacted friends or family since she left, according to police. Authorities said she has a tattoo of the infinity symbol on her left wrist. Anyone with information on Amber is asked to call police at 863-291-5752.