On November 10, 1986, around 11:30 p.m., Chuck Sterling was shot and severely beaten by an unknown white male suspect during an attempted armed robbery at the Red Barn Restaurant, located at 6150 New Tampa Hwy in Lakeland. Chuck and his wife were closing up the restaurant when the suspect entered and demanded money. There was a struggle over the gun with the suspect when Chuck victim was fatally shot.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (863) 298-6379, or send an email to coldcase@polksheriff.org.