HAINES CITY, Fla. — An argument at a Haines City bar turned into a deadly shootout Sunday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Grady Judd gave details on the shooting that left one man dead and two others, including the accused gunman, injured.
It started around 5 p.m. when 31-year-old Joshua Badillo began talking to a motorcycle group that was "minding their own business" at the Shady Cove Bar and Grill on State Road 544, according to the sheriff.
Judd said an argument broke out but calmed down before the group decided to move to the outside tiki bar area. That was until Badillo reportedly began harassing the group again and was asked to leave.
According to the sheriff's office, words were still being exchanged as a bar employee and a 32-year-old member of the motorcycle group led Badillo out of the bar and into the parking lot.
Badillo was almost back to his car when he turned back around, pushed past several people and shot the 32-year-old man in the hand and groin, Judd said.
Almost immediately, a 54-year-old man came running out of the bar with his own gun and shot at Badillo, who retreated to his car, the sheriff explained. He said the two continued shooting at each other, leading to the 54-year-old man getting shot in the chest.
According to Judd, Badillo sped off and got into a crash before driving back to his nearby home. That's where deputies met him and took him to the hospital for a gunshot wound in his shoulder area.
The 54-year-old man died after arriving at the hospital. Badillo and the 32-year-old man both were stable at the hospital.
Badillo is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Judd said the investigation is ongoing, though it appears Badillo instigated everything.
“He drank him some liquid courage and decided he’d march around like a banty rooster, you know, and now we’ve clipped his wings and he’s going to jail," he said of the accused shooter. "It’s sad. It should’ve never happened, but stupid is as stupid does."
You can watch the full press conference below.
