Central Florida Man Arrested for Firing Gun in Crowd ‘To Make Fireworks’

A Central Florida man was arrested for firing a gun in a crowd “to make fireworks,” according to local law enforcement.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies recently received multiple calls about a large gathering of people at Seminole Avenue South and Dr. MLK, Jr. Street SW in Fort Meade. Deputies arrived and ordered for the crowd to leave the area and get off of the roadways.

According to law enforcement, 51-year-old Christopher Oniel Smith, of Plant City, began discharging a firearm while standing about 50-75 feet away from a PCSO sergeant inside of a patrol vehicle.

The sergeant immediately accelerated toward Smith, according to PCSO.

Despite running from the sergeant, Smith was caught, and a Glock 43X handgun was recovered from the scene.

Christopher Smith told deputies that he was intoxicated and he was just firing the gun, “to make fireworks.”




Smith is on Felony Probation for Attempted 1st Degree Murder. PCSO stated that he was convicted in 1996 and served 14.5 years in prison.

Christopher Smith was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with: Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by Convicted Felon, Tampering with Evidence, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in Public, Resisting without Violence, and Use of Firearm Under the Influence of Alcohol.