Charles McGhee, a 30-year-old African American male from Fort Meade, FL, tragically lost his life on February 23, 2018. The incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. when deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at 10 SW MLK Blvd. Upon arrival, first responders found Charles McGhee with gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation revealed that the shooter was
Jimmy Hester, a 48-year-old male from Wauchula. Hester and McGhee had known each other and had a dispute earlier in the week, which escalated into the fatal altercation. Witnesses reported that Hester turned himself in at the PSCO Fort Meade Sheriff's Station shortly after the shooting. Both men had extensive criminal histories, and the incident was linked to their involvement in drug-related activities.
Jimmy Hester was charged with manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted the dangers of associating with individuals involved in drug dealings, emphasizing that such associations often lead to violent outcomes. Hester was booked into the Polk County Jail, and the case proceeded through the legal system, shedding light on the broader issues of drug-related violence in the community.
