Florida police, sheriff investigate ‘violent death’ of 81-year-old man living at group home

BARTOW Florida WFTS Bartow Police and the Polk County Sheriff s Office PCSO are as of now assessing a murder following the violent death of an -year-old man at an independent living group home on Bluebird Avenue It s scary commented neighbor Gary Scheuneman And when you re two houses down you re like do we have to be worried about what might happen to us In a news conference Sunday afternoon Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced initial reports indicate the man was last seen alive Saturday evening And due to his typical routine of skipping breakfast he was discovered dead shortly before noon on Sunday prompting a - - call to the Bartow Police Department What we know is that he died a violent death disclosed Sheriff Grady Judd We are not releasing any details because it s much too early Representatives reported the man was a resident of the facility which is operated by ET Care They re not troublemakers so its you know like wow an older gentlemen like that Why would someone want to hurt him So I m concerned announced Scheuneman Very very concerning Scheuneman has lived in neighborhood for about nine years and noted nothing like this has ever happened It s sad you know announced Gary Scheuneman It s very upsetting that something like that could happen so close to your neighborhood so close to home Leaders explained they will be providing an update on Monday