A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a deadly shooting that happened outside of a Lakeland bar last week.
The Lakeland Police Department said Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach, was charged with the death of Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland.
Banks was killed while authorities said Lue was trying to perpetrate the murder of a 24-year-old who they’d gotten into an argument with at the Cali Rose 15 Kitchen on Ariana Street.
Investigators said both Banks and Lue confronted the 24-year-old that night, with Banks throwing the first punch. However, it was Lue who eventually pulled out a gun and pointed it at the 24-year-old, according to police.
Authorities said the 24-year-old responded by taking out his handgun and firing several times at Banks and Lue.
The 24-year-old cooperated with investigators, and officials said it was determined that he was likely acting in self-defense. No charges are expected to be filed against him.
Lue and Banks were taken to Lakeland Regional Health to be treated for gunshot wounds, but Banks did not survive. Lue, who is expected to recover, was stabilized and remained hospitalized Thursday.
On the bright side they’re two down.