Two people were arrested after an attempted cover-up of an accidental shooting in Central Florida, according to local law enforcement.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives recently responded to Bartow Regional Medical Center after being notified about a woman being treated there for a gunshot wound.
The woman was 21-year-old Madison Thomas, of Bartow, and she had a gunshot wound to a toe on her right foot. While detectives conducted their investigation of the shooting, Thomas repeatedly provided false information such as how and where the shooting occurred, according to local law enforcement.
She also attempted to alter information on her cell phone, and when the detective attempted to seize the phone as evidence, Thomas grabbed his wrist, according to PCSO.
Eventually, detectives went to Thomas’ residence on 80-Foot Road in Bartow. There, the detectives met and spoke with Thomas’ fiancé, 22-year-old Cazar Caraker.
He too was misleading with his information, according to law enforcement. Caraker was found to be a convicted felon and on probation for Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a Victim 13 or Under. Because of this, he is not allowed to be around his two youngest children.
Detectives determined that the children were at the residence at the time that the shooting occurred, and he tried to hide the children at a neighbor’s residence prior to the arrival of the detectives.
Eventually, it was learned that Thomas accidentally shot her own toe, and Cazar told her to lie to law enforcement since he is not permitted to have a firearm on their property.
Thomas and Caraker were both arrested.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas was charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting with violence, Resisting without Violence, and Provide False Information to Law Enforcement during a felony investigation. Caraker was charged with False Information During a Felony investigation, Tampering with Physical evidence, Tampering with a Witness, Corruption by Threat, Violation of Probation, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Detectives notified the Florida Department of Children and Families about their investigation, and the children were placed with other family members at the time.
