LAKELAND -- A 93-year-old man was found dead Thursday morning after an apparent home invasion.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Walter Farley's body was found around 9:15 a.m. at his residence, 7931 Indian Heights Drive in Lakeland.
Walter's son, Robert Farley, and daughter-in-law left around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to go to a New Year's Eve party at the Red Rose Inn in Plant City. The couple spent the night at the hotel. When they returned home they found that there had been a home invasion and that Walter had been shot to death.
Robert and his wife had been staying with Walter for the past four years to care for him.
The family's neighbors describe Walter as a good man who was still active in the neighborhood.
"We always saw him outside pulling weeds. We'd always say hi," said neighbor Sase Singh. "Our kids went to their house trick or treating, very friendly guy in the neighborhood."
Sheriff Grady Judd called the homicide a senseless act of violence.
"This was a good solid man in the community. Even though he was 93 he was still active in the Kathleen Historical Society," Judd said. "He was a ham radio operator, he knew Morse code and he was one the community could always depend on to help out in any event."
Judd is calling on the community to help solve the crime. He said investigators don't have a lot to go on. They're not sure how many people they're looking for or what kind of car they were driving.
Detectives said fireworks could have masked the sound of gunshots.
"I was out here last night," Singh said. "We had a party and we didn't hear anything."
Anyone with any information or that saw anything suspicious on or near Indian Heights Drive between 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 and 9:15 a.m. Jan. 1 is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (863) 534-6200. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-TIPS.
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