Patrick Adam Thrower, a 35-year-old resident of Winter Haven, Florida, tragically lost his life on December 11, 2017. The incident occurred at a home in Winter Haven, where Thrower was shot multiple times in the chest and back. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Thrower critically injured and he was subsequently transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that Johnny Ray Owsley Jr., 32, was the primary suspect in
Thrower's murder. According to reports, Owsley's live-in girlfriend had invited Thrower to the residence. Upon Owsley's arrival, he confronted Thrower and demanded that he leave the house. The confrontation escalated, leading both men to exit the residence, where Owsley shot Thrower multiple times. Owsley then fled the scene in a green Dodge pickup truck.
Following the incident, Owsley was considered armed and dangerous, prompting a manhunt by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Approximately 11 days after the murder, Owsley turned himself in to the Polk County Jail, where he was arrested on charges of first-degree murder. During his court proceedings, Owsley claimed that he was defending his home, invoking Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law as his defense. Despite this claim, the legal process continued, with Owsley remaining in custody as the case progressed through the judicial system.
The tragic death of Patrick Adam Thrower and the subsequent arrest and legal proceedings involving Johnny Ray Owsley Jr. highlight the complexities and emotional toll of such violent incidents. The case drew significant attention in the Winter Haven community, as residents grappled with the loss and the legal ramifications that followed.
