Paul McLees, a 78-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically killed on July 9, 2016, in Winter Haven, Florida. The incident occurred during a violent home invasion at his residence on Laurel Oak Drive. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Ricardo Garcia Gomez, also from Winter Haven, entered the McLees' home armed with a large knife. Gomez held Paul McLees at knifepoint, forcing him to open a safe.
In an attempt to defend himself and his wife, Mary McLees, Paul retrieved a firearm from the safe and began shooting at Gomez. During the exchange of gunfire, Mary McLees, a 72-year-old Caucasian female, was shot twice but managed to escape and call for help from a neighbor's house.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they found both Paul McLees and Ricardo Garcia Gomez suffering from gunshot wounds in a back bedroom. Despite the efforts of first responders, Paul McLees was pronounced dead at the scene. Gomez was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died after undergoing surgery. The exact sequence of events that led to the shootings remains unclear, but it is believed that Gomez wrested the gun away from Paul McLees after being shot.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. Sheriff Grady Judd described the situation as horrific and tragic, emphasizing that Paul McLees was defending his home and his loved ones. The investigation revealed that Gomez had a criminal history, including arrests for domestic battery, harassing a police dog, trespassing, DUI, shoplifting, and resisting arrest. However, these prior offenses were not considered major league charges, and Gomez was largely seen as a nonviolent offender until the day of the home invasion.
Mary McLees, who had been married to Paul for 53 years, expressed her profound sadness at losing her husband but also her gratitude for the time they had together. The couple had two children and had built a life together in their Winter Haven home. The community was deeply affected by the incident, with neighbors expressing shock and concern over the violent crime that disrupted their normally quiet neighborhood.
