LAKELAND, Fla. — A dispute at a local restaurant escalated into gunfire late Thursday resulting in one fatality and another person wounded, police said. Authorities reported that the shooting occurred just after 9:30 p.m. at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen in Lakeland when an argument at the front entrance of the establishment led to a tragic exchange of bullets.
Police identified the individuals involved in the initial confrontation as Jesse Banks, 28, and Nicholas Lue, 26, who allegedly antagonized a 24-year-old man outside the restaurant. The altercation intensified when Banks reportedly struck the younger man on the head, and both Banks and Lue then aimed a handgun at another man who appeared at the door.
In response, police said, the 24-year-old man, who found himself under threat, drew his own firearm and shot Banks and Lue. Banks succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, while Lue is currently recovering and is expected to pull through.
Officials stated that the shooter is cooperating with the Lakeland Police Department in their investigation. As of Friday morning, no charges have been filed against him. This event has drawn attention to the complex issues surrounding self-defense laws and gun ownership, stirring debate among local residents and legal experts.
According to the Lakeland Police, the business where the incident took place was formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill but had been renamed to Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, a detail clarified the morning following the shooting.
The incident adds to a series of events that have prompted discussions on public safety and gun regulation in the area. Community reactions vary with some expressing concern over rising incidents of gun violence and others pointing to the right of self-defense as a necessary provision.
The police have not disclosed further details about what specifically triggered the dispute outside the restaurant or the nature of the initial argument between Banks, Lue, and the 24-year-old. The ongoing investigation is examining all aspects of the confrontation, including a review of surveillance footage and witness statements to construct a clear timeline of events.
As the community grapples with this tragic event, questions linger about measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Lakeland, igniting a spectrum of opinions on the balance between individual rights and community safety.