Poinciana Backyard Tree Dispute Ends in Gunfire, Felony Charges

Poinciana Backyard Tree Dispute Ends In Gunfire…And Felony Charges Liz Shultz – Local BN January 17, 2026 3:50 pm Poinciana Backyard Tree Dispute Ends In Gunfire…And Felony Charges Poinciana Backyard Tree Dispute Ends In Gunfire…And Felony Charges POINCIANA, Fla. — Last Saturday morning, a conversation about property lines and yard debris took a dangerous turn on Reindeer Drive, prompting a police response and multiple felony charges against one resident. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Poinciana neighborhood around 10:30 a.m. on January 10, 2026, following reports of an armed confrontation. The catalyst for the violence was reportedly a dispute over tree limbs. Find Local AC and Heating Repair Services Find Local AC and Heating Repair Services What You Need to Know About Car Loans What You Need to Know About Car Loans Get Personalized Mortgage Advice Close to Home Get Personalized Mortgage Advice Close to Home According to the affidavit, a resident approached his neighbor, 27-year-old Jeltsin O’Neill Merced Zayas, to discuss debris from Merced Zayas’s trees falling into his yard. The discussion quickly escalated from a civil complaint into a heated argument. READ: “We Will Bathe In The Blood”: California Man Arrested For Threatening VP JD Vance At Disneyland The victim told investigators that Merced Zayas retreated into his home during the verbal altercation and returned brandishing a black handgun equipped with an extended magazine. The sight of the weapon caused the neighbor to flee back to his own property. However, the dispute continued over the fence line. It was during this exchange that Merced Zayas allegedly fired the weapon.

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A disagreement over tree limbs in a Poinciana neighborhood turned violent last Saturday, resulting in gunfire and multiple felony charges.

Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Reindeer Drive around 10:30 a.m. on January 10, 2026, after reports of an armed confrontation. The dispute began when a resident approached his neighbor, 27-year-old Jeltsin O’Neill Merced Zayas, about tree debris falling into his yard.

The conversation escalated into a heated argument. According to investigators, Merced Zayas retreated into his home and returned carrying a black handgun with an extended magazine.

The neighbor fled back to his own property, but the confrontation continued across the fence line. During the exchange, Merced Zayas allegedly fired the weapon.

Police have charged Merced Zayas with multiple felonies related to the incident. Further details about the charges or injuries, if any, were not immediately released.

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