Shocking Attack in Lake Elbert neighborhood (33880) : Winter Haven Man Beats Grandfather With Golf Clubs, Sprays Wounds With Wasp Killer – POLICE INVESTIGATION ACTIVE

Lake Elbert neighborhood (33880) – In an unthinkable act of family violence, Winter Haven police say a 27-year-old man brutally attacked his elderly grandfather with golf clubs, then sprayed his open wounds with wasp repellent in what investigators are calling a “deliberate act of torture.” The assault occurred early Wednesday morning inside the family’s shared home, sending shockwaves through the quiet Central Florida community.

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, officers were dispatched to a home on Cypress Gardens Boulevard after neighbors reported screams coming from the residence around 3:20 AM. They found the 74-year-old victim in the living room with multiple lacerations, contusions, and chemical burns. The suspect, Devin Cole, was arrested on the scene without incident. He now faces charges of attempted murder, elder abuse, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Initial statements suggest the motive stemmed from a heated argument about finances, though police say the level of violence indicates deeper psychological concerns. The grandfather, whose name is being withheld, remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition.

Key Facts

• BREAKING: Man beats grandfather with golf clubs, uses wasp spray on wounds

• IMPACT: 74-year-old victim in ICU; suspect faces attempted murder charge

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “This is beyond a domestic dispute. It’s calculated cruelty.” – Chief David Brannan

• ACTION: Report elder abuse to Florida Elder Hotline: 1-800-962-2873

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   Lake Elbert neighborhood (33880) – Near Cypress Gardens Blvd & Avenue G SE

2. Community Connection:
   “That poor man. I saw him just yesterday walking to the store with a cane.”
   (Attribution: – Maria Stetson, cashier at Sunshine Market)

Residents and advocates alike are now calling for urgent attention to Florida’s growing elder abuse crisis.

Exclusive Angle

• WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
  This incident follows a 40% increase in elder abuse reports in Polk County this year alone, according to DCF records. Many advocates say mental health support and caregiver stress monitoring are being dangerously overlooked.

Update Log

•  7:00 AM: Suspect Devin Cole booked into Polk County Jail without bond

•  8:30 AM: Victim listed in critical but stable condition at Winter Haven Medical Center

• 9:15 AM: Elder rights groups call for mandatory home welfare checks statewide