Winter Haven Police have identified the victim in a fatal shooting earlier today in the alley at 756 Ave. A, SW as, Billy Ray Elkins, 41 years, of 722 West Central Avenue in Winter Haven.
The shooter, James R. Wagner, 48 years, of 2221 Avenue F, NW, Winter Haven, has been charged with second-degree murder.
On Tuesday, officers responded to the alley at 756 Ave. A, SW around 11:26 a.m., and discovered a deceased male, who later turned out to be Elkins, inside a black Honda.
Upon investigation, police learned that Wagner was doing some maintenance work at his girlfriend’s residence at 722 Ave. A., SW in Winter Haven. Wagner saw Elkins sitting in his vehicle outside the residence.
According to Wagner, Elkins was being verbally confrontational towards him, although he told police he didn’t remember what Elkins was saying.
Wagner said Elkins started getting out of his vehicle and since he was unsure whether Elkins was armed or not, he got his 9 mm Smith & Wesson out of the center console of his truck, which was parked next to Elkins Honda, shooting Elkins in the chest.
Elkins never exited his vehicle, dying from a single gunshot wound, police said.
After placing the gun back in his truck, Wagner then called 911 and told the operator that he had shot someone in self-defense, police said.
Wagner who was still in the area when police arrived, was immediately detained.
The investigation is ongoing.
