ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) – Detectives from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at a roadside barbecue stand on Thursday. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said what began as an attempted robbery turned into self-defense by the owner of Jordan’s BBQ.
The shooting took place at 3:40 p.m. at the roadside stand near the intersection of Eiland Boulevard and Hilton Road.
Nocco said the unidentified man walked up to the owner’s father at the stand and demanded money. The father thought he was asking for a job and told him to come back tomorrow.
At that point, “He makes a statement, give me the money, and then he says I want it all,” Nocco told News Channel 8.
The father then saw the guy may have had some type of weapon in his pocket and he yelled to his son who pulled out his gun and shot the man.
“From all his statements, he was in fear of being robbed,” Nocco said about the father and his son.
It turned out the man did have a weapon. Nocco said he had a 6 to 8-inch spike in his pocket and although he never reached for it, Nocco said the owner and his father were in the right.
“He’s not only defending himself thinking he’s getting robbed but he’s defending his own father,” Nocco said.
The man was taken to St. Joe’s in Tampa where he was pronounced dead around 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon. He had no identification on him so they are trying to figure out who he is so they can then notify next of kin.
Jordan’s BBQ is a local business and according to Nocco, it’s been in the area for a long time and people in the community have nothing but good things to say about it and the family who owns it.
“Everybody keeps talking about how wonderful the people who own the business are,” Nocco told reports Thursday night.
Then, with the family thrown into a situation like this, Sheriff Nocco wants people to ask themselves would they do in a similar situation.
“Put yourself in the shoes of this family who has a small business and they’re working hard trying to keep their family going,” Nocco said. “They did what they had to do. They protected themselves. Every indication, this is a case of self-defense.”
Sheriff Nocco is not releasing the name of the owner and News Channel 8 is told that he is not expected to face any charges.
