Lakeland, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are conducting a death investigation related to 71-year-old Larry Simpson of Lakeview Lane Clermont, Florida. Mr. Simpson died of a single gunshot wound to the upper torso while he was with a friend, Dr. Jaime Gonzalez of Orlando (his practice is in Clermont), shooting clays at the Tenoroc Mine Shooting Range, 3755 Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland. Mr. Simpson died at the scene. The incident occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m. on Sunday morning, May 26, 2013.
According to statements made to detectives by Dr. Gonzalez, while at the sixth shooting station Dr. Gonzalez was at the shooting station and Mr. Simpson was operating the remote control for the clay machine. Gonzalez said he heard a shot directly behind him and turned around and Simpson had a gunshot wound to the upper torso and Simpson’s shotgun was laying beside him. Dr. Gonzalez called for help and he started resuscitation efforts. When deputies arrived, they utilized an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an attempt to revive Simpson. A short while later Polk County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and determined Mr. Simpson was deceased. The scene was secured and investigators and PCSO crime scene personnel responded to conduct the investigation.
An autopsy will be performed by the medical examiner’s office tomorrow, Monday, May 27th. At this point in the investigation, detectives do not know how the gunshot wound to Mr. Simpson occurred. The manner and cause of death will not be released until further investigation, tests, and autopsy results.
