Arguments can easily escalate, and two of the factors that contribute to an escalation are alcohol and firearms. A bar near Haines City, in central Florida, was the scene of just such an encounter 2 weeks ago.
The incident
The incident began with an argument between two men at the Shady Cove Bar & Grill. According to police, the two men, one of whom was described as a “frequent visitor” to the bar, began to argue in the bar, then moved their dispute to a patio adjacent to the bar.
The argument appeared to have calmed down when the man police described as the instigator began to taunt a man in the group who was accompanying his original adversary. The instigator was asked to mind his own business, but he continued to taunt members of the group.
Finally, he apparently decided to quit the scene and began walking toward his truck. Taunts and insults were being exchanged as the man walked to his truck. The man police blamed for first firing a shot aimed his pistol at the group and shot a 32-year-old man.
Another member of the group apparently heard the shots and ran outside of the bar. He began firing at the first shooter. The shooter suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
Police arrived soon after the shooting began, and they were able to quickly arrest the first shooter at his nearby home. A 54-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and died after he was taken to a nearby hospital. A third man suffered nonserious gunshot wounds to his hand and groin and was listed in stable condition.
Criminal Charges
The first shooter was blamed by police for instigating the entire incident. Police said that he repeatedly pestered the group. The police said the conflict was “basically over nothing.” The suspect was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence.
Getting solid legal advice may be valuable
The defendant, in this case, faces extremely serious criminal charges. If convicted, he faces a lengthy period of incarceration and a potentially heavy fine. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney for an analysis of the evidence, an opinion on the likelihood of a conviction, and, when appropriate, assistance in negotiating an acceptable plea agreement.
