Teen killed, 2 injured in shooting at Davenport vacation home, deputies say

DAVENPORT, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County deputies said three people were shot during an illegal party in Davenport early Sunday morning.

Deputies said at about 1:13 a.m., they responded to a shooting in the Solterra Resort in unincorporated Davenport.

The shooting took place at a short-term vacation rental home that was rented for an “illegal open house party,” according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“We heard the gunshots. Everybody heard the gunshots,” said Lisa Quirk, a resident at Solterra who also sells homes throughout the Davenport area.

Deputies said a 19-year-old man was killed in the shooting while two other victims, a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, were injured. All three victims were said to be from Orlando.

The two injured victims were taken to local hospitals where they were stabilized.

The sheriff’s office did not say whether they made arrests yet, but the investigation is still in its early stages. Deputies plan to release more information as the investigation progresses.

News Channel 8 observed bullet holes in nearby homes, car windows, even a TV screen at a nearby home.

The homeowner said a baseball team was renting the home and some players were in the entertainment room when the bullets started flying.

“I see about 5 or 10 bullet holes. Thankfully none of our guests were hurt,” he said.

Large parties at vacation rentals have become an issue in the Davenport area, and Solterra Resort specifically.

“Common sense you see a 2-night rental for Friday/Saturday night, houses that fit 30-40 people, odds are its gonna be a party,” said the homeowner.

In January, a person died after a fatal crash fleeing officials from a Solterra vacation rental party, according to the sheriff’s office.

In April 2022, the sheriff’s office said a St. Petersburg man died in a shooting at another party.

“It’s a terrible thing to have. This has not been the first time. Me, personally, I’ve been after a lot of these people to get more security here,” said Jeffrey Boyle, who said he was a board member on the neighborhood HOA.

Lisa Quirk, the Solterra Resort and realtor, said she is trying to move.

“It’s the parties. It’s the parties, definitely and you don’t know who’s in here,” she said.

Brian Driscoll is visiting the area for his daughter’s college softball games and renting a house at Solterra.

“It’s kind of scary because these girls, these teams are down here in this same gated community where you think you’re being safe. You have to check in at the gate. I don’t know how these kids got in there and why they’re bringing guns,” he said.

News Channel 8 reached out to the district manager for the Solterra Resort Community Development District and has not yet received a call back.