Lake Wales police investigating body found in yard

LAKE WALES, Fla. - Police are investigation a body that was found early Saturday morning.

A Lake Wales police officer was flagged down by a man near Wiltshire Avenue around 4 a.m.

According to Polk County Sheriff deputies who are assisting with the investigation, the man alerted the officer that he had seen what he thought was a body in the roadway.

Upon investigation, Lake Wales officers discovered Joseph Coney, 57, dead in the yard located at 21 DR JA Wiltshire Avenue West.

Officers began to investigate the death and gathered several suspects for interviews.

Upon questioning Isaiah Tillman, 18, officials learned that he had been involved in an argument with Coney prior to his death.

According to Tillman, Coney had threatened him with a pair of gardening shears after the argument escalated. Tillman then pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun from his pants waistband and aimed at Coney.

After Coney was shot Tillman reportedly grabbed the gun and ran from the scene, leaving Coney, where he later died.

Tillman told officials that Coney continued to threaten him with the shears and he shot him. The Polk County State's Attorney Office ruled the shooting justified after reviewing Tillman's statement and the evidence.

Tillman was arrested for tampering with evidence and carrying a concealed weapon.

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