TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A fight at a Crystal River bar turned deadly Friday morning, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
Edward Bennis, 26, an employee at Norton’s Riverside Bar and Grill, was found with “several gunshot wounds” in the parking lot when deputies arrived at 1:25 a.m.
Witnesses told deputies that Bennis tried to break up a fight between Gabriel Trainor, 24, and another patron shortly before the shooting. Trainor left the business and went to his car for several minutes before returning to the bar to continue arguing with Bennis.
Trainor was accused of shooting Bennis multiple times with a handgun. Bennis died at the scene of the shooting.
“This is a tragic incident. My condolences go out to the family of Mr. Bennis,” Sheriff Mike Prendergast said in a statement. “Unfortunately, arguments too often turn violent when alcohol is involved. Trainor not only made the decision to take another man’s life but also endangered other citizens with his reckless discharge of a firearm. This behavior will not be tolerated in Citrus County, and we will work diligently with our partners in the Fifth Judicial Circuit to ensure Trainor is no longer a danger to our law-abiding citizens.”
Trainor, who lives in Lake Panasoffkee, was charged with second degree murder and booked into the Citrus County Jail. He is being held without bond.
