Gregory Shull, a 55-year-old man from Winter Haven, Florida, was found dead on April 29, 2020, in a homeless camp located in the Eloise area of Winter Haven. The Polk County Sheriff's Office discovered his body in a wooded area near 2nd Street North and 2nd Terrace. Shull had been living in the camp with Stacy Testerman, a 43-year-old woman, for about two months.
The investigation revealed that Shull was shot in the back near his right shoulder blade during an argument with Shadria "Shay" Pinkston, a 34-year-old woman who was Testerman's girlfriend. The incident occurred after Pinkston confronted Shull about allegedly beating Testerman. Pinkston had been released from the Polk County Jail earlier that evening and was driven to the camp by her father, Norman Pinkston, who provided her with a gun for protection. After the confrontation, Pinkston shot Shull twice, hitting him once in the back. She and Testerman then returned to Norman Pinkston and his vehicle.
The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals. Shadria "Shay" Pinkston was charged with second-degree murder for shooting Shull. Stacy Testerman was charged with accessory after the fact, as she attempted to mislead detectives during the investigation. Norman Pinkston was charged with giving false information to law enforcement during a felony investigation. The Polk County Sheriff's Office initially believed the gunshots were related to target practice, but further investigation revealed the true nature of the incident. The case highlighted the complexities of relationships and the tragic consequences of violence within the homeless community.
