Crime
2 killed after shooting at Desoto Bass Courts in Dayton
Two people lost their lives in a fatal shooting at the Desoto Bass Courts in Dayton on Monday night, according to a Dayton police sergeant.
Police and emergency medical responders were dispatched to the 1700 block of Stewart Street around 6:30 p.m. after multiple reports of gunfire.
Neighbors reported hearing eight to ten gunshots before officers quickly arrived at the scene.
Witnesses, concerned about their safety, chose not to go on camera, fearing potential repercussions if others in the area discovered they had shared information with authorities.
Police officers thoroughly searched the area for evidence, with at least 15 patrol vehicles surrounding the apartment building as they investigated.
Tensions were high, with officers intervening three times to deescalate arguments between neighbors who had gathered nearby.
The investigation has now been transferred to the Dayton Police Department’s Homicide Unit, which is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Crime
One Dead, One Injured in Apparent Self-Defense Shooting Outside Cali Rose 15 Kitchen in Lakeland
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers with the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill, located at 1323 Ariana Street in Lakeland.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that two individuals—identified as Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland, and Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach—had sustained gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for emergency treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Banks was pronounced deceased.
Lue was stabilized and remains hospitalized in recovery.
Preliminary findings from witness interviews and physical evidence at the scene indicate that the incident began as a verbal altercation between Banks, Lue, and another individual, identified as Tre D’Shon Huntly, 24, of Lakeland.
The confrontation occurred just outside the restaurant’s front entrance.
According to investigators, the dispute escalated when Banks physically struck Huntly in the head.
At that moment, a male standing just inside the business opened the front door in defense of Huntly.
Banks and Lue then allegedly turned their aggression toward this second individual, producing a firearm and pointing it at him.
In response, Huntly drew a handgun and discharged several rounds, striking both Banks and Lue.
A handgun was later recovered from Banks at the scene.
Huntly remained at the location and fully cooperated with detectives during the investigation.
Based on the information available, it appears Huntly acted in self-defense.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is urged to contact Detective Neal Robertson at 863-834-6971 or via email at neal.robertson@lakelandgov.net.