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A tense police confrontation in Winter Haven has sparked community outrage after a video showed a three-year-old girl lying on the ground at gunpoint alongside her mother.
The incident occurred Tuesday following a reported altercation involving a firearm at Santiago’s Market.
Police Chief Vance Monroe acknowledged the troubling optics of the situation, stating, “The optics of this incident are bad. They are terrible.”
Just after 1 p.m., officers reportedly responded to a call at Santiago's Market regarding a disturbance involving a firearm.
Police say Godfrey Hercules II, 29, was seen in an altercation with a store employee, 46-year-old Jesus Crespo Perez, in the parking lot. Hercules eventually left with his partner, Mariah Banks, and their daughter and headed south on Highway 17.
That's when a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued for Hercules, who authorities said was driving a red Nissan Altima with two passengers in the car as well.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/winter-haven-child-mother-gun-incident-video-photo/67-25488b33-a179-4f57-b067-be228d926cd7