Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, between 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to a shooting at the diesel pumps at the Live Oak Busy Bee. A witness states a heavy-set caucasian male, who had pulled his semi-truck up to the diesel pumps, began causing a disturbance. Shots were then fired, which resulted in the man being killed. The trooper, however, was not injured.
An FHP release states the trooper has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave per FHP policy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is now the lead agency responsible for independently investigating the incident. The investigation is still active.
Jonathan Smith, a witness to the incident, stated he heard four shots, one of which, he adds, struck the Busy Bee building.
“I don’t know where it started, but I can tell you where it ended,” FHP Lt. Patrick Riordan stated after the incident, gesturing towards the Busy Bee gas pumps.
In a Facebook post, the Live Oak Busy Bee stated, “All we can say at this time is that it is a secure scene. We want to thank our men and women in uniform who protect and serve us every day.”
No further information has been released at this time.