BARTOW, Fla. — Bartow Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) are currently investigating a murder following the "violent death" of an 81-year-old man at an independent living group home on Bluebird Avenue.
"It’s scary," said 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?’"
WATCH: Bartow Police investigate “violent death” of 81-year-old man
In a news conference Sunday afternoon, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said 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 9-1-1 call to the Bartow Police Department.
"What we know is that he died a violent death," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "We are not releasing any details because it’s much too early."
Officials said 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," said Scheuneman. "Very very concerning."
Scheuneman has lived in neighborhood for about nine years and said nothing like this has ever happened.
"It’s sad, you know," said Gary Scheuneman. "It’s very upsetting that something like that could happen so close to your neighborhood, so close to home."
WATCH: Polk County Sheriff's Office's news conference
Officials said they will be providing an update on Monday.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
