Three friends brutally ‘massacred’ while fishing in Florida, sheriff says
Three friends out for a fishing trip in Florida were violently beaten and shot to death, according to the Polk County Sheriff, who called the crime scene one of the worst he has ever seen.
All of the victims — identified as Damion Tillman, 23, Keven Springfield, 30, and Brandon Rollins, 27 — were found dead Friday near US Hwy 27 in the city of Frostproof. The spot was not far from where the trio of friends agreed to meet for some “night fishing,” WFLA reported.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Tillman was the first of his friends to reach the spot. Investigators believe he was almost immediately killed upon his arrival by one or more people.
The suspect or suspects were still in the process of murdering the 23-year-old when Rollins and Springfield arrived in a separate vehicle vehicle. Judd said investigators believe they too were immediately attacked.
He said the group of best friends were “massacred.”
“Here’s what the murderers didn’t count on,” Judd said. “One of our victims, Brandon Rollins, was able to call his father and say, ‘help.’”
Upon receiving the distress call, the victim’s father rushed to the meeting spot, where he was met with the horrific scene, Click Orlando reported.
“His dad knew Brandon had gone fishing with his two friends, Kevin and Damion. Brandon’s dad drove to Lake Streety Road. When he arrived he found his son Brandon barely alive, and his two friends deceased,” Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference.
By the time first responders got to the scene, all three victims were already dead.
“They appear to have been beaten and shot,” Judd said, calling on anyone with information in the case to come forward.
“One or more murderers that killed three people in a little country community. A very safe, very quiet community. Murdered them while they were on their way to go catfishing last night.”
He added
A $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide details leading to an arrest the case. Judd asked those with information to to call PCSO at 863-298-6200.
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