One person is dead and another is in critical condition after a shooting at the Jade Fox Lounge on Lakeland Highlands Rd. around 3 a.m. Lakeland Police say a suspect is in custody.
Jade Fox Lounge at 3010 Lakeland Highlands Rd.
Lakeland Police spokeswoman Stephanie Kerr said a 23-year-old female suspect is in custody in the 1:51 a.m. shooting.
The 3,500-square-foot lounge is in the Highlands Plaza shopping center, anchored by Winn-Dixie.
There was a party Friday night hosted by former FSU standout and NBA player Dwayne Bacon, with special guest Nique and discounted Rey Supremo tequila shots. Videos posted to Facebook by the venue — that apparently were later removed — showed it was a heavily attended event with guests wearing all-white.
The shooting happened as the party was ending. The lounge owner, Jian Zhang, said city ordinances require businesses that serve alcohol to close by 2 a.m., so the staff turned on the lights at 1:40 a.m. and started to encourage people to leave. However, around that time, a group tried to enter. Apparently, a fight broke out when they were denied admission.
Police described the victims as a 25-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, but they are not releasing their names, citing Marsy’s Law.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information to contact Detective Neal Robertson at [email protected].
In addition, people who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477) or from a cell phone at **TIPS. Crime Stoppers can also be contacted online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com (click on “Submit A Tip”) or via the P3tips smartphone app. Tipsters through Crime Stoppers are eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.