Crime
2 Old Key Lime House members killed in shooting during Christmas party at Rock Irish Pub in Lake Worth Beach
Detectives worked swiftly, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, which led to the arrests of 23-year-old Morey Pinard III and 19-year-old Michael Vititoe on Wednesday.
A fatal shooting at a downtown Lake Worth Beach bar early Tuesday morning has claimed the lives of two men, injured two others, and resulted in the arrests of two suspects, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO).
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the Rock Irish Pub, located in the 600 block of Lake Avenue.
Deputies arrived to find a chaotic scene: two men dead inside the bar and two others suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims have since been identified as 33-year-old Christopher Allen and 24-year-old Steven Stratis, both employees of the popular local restaurant Old Key Lime House.
Two additional male coworkers were wounded—one remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while the other is reportedly in stable condition.
A witness, who identified herself as a coworker of the victims, described the evening as one that began in celebration but ended in tragedy.
“We were having our Christmas party at Lilo’s Streetfood and Bar earlier in the night,” she recounted. “Afterward, we crossed the street to the Rock Irish Pub to play pool. I stepped outside for a moment, and when I came back, I saw deputies arriving and two of my coworkers lying on the floor. One was in really bad shape, and the other was already in an ambulance.”
Detectives worked swiftly, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, which led to the arrests of 23-year-old Morey Pinard III and 19-year-old Michael Vititoe on Wednesday.
Pinard has been charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm
- Two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm
Vititoe faces charges of:
- Accessory after the fact to a homicide
- Simple battery
Both suspects are currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail and are scheduled to attend their first court appearances Thursday morning.
According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from an altercation that broke out inside the pub. The situation escalated, leading to gunfire that left four men wounded and devastated the close-knit Lake Worth Beach community.
The Rock Irish Pub remains closed as detectives continue their investigation. Crime scene tape surrounds the area, and officers are canvassing nearby businesses for additional surveillance footage.
The PBSO has asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in resolving the case.
“Christopher and Steven were well-loved in the community,” a local resident shared. “It’s heartbreaking that something like this happened during what should have been a joyful time.”
Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge of the shooting to contact Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers or PBSO directly. Anonymous tips are welcomed as investigators work to uncover the full details of this tragic event.
Chicago, IL – A shooting inside a home on the Far South Side of Chicago left a 16-year-old boy dead and two others injured on Sunday afternoon, according to police.
The incident occurred just after noon in the Pullman neighborhood, within the 13100 block of South Corliss Avenue in the Altgeld Gardens housing complex.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire and discovered three teenage brothers suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence.
The deceased victim has been identified by his family as 16-year-old Mekhi Rodriguez, who sustained nine gunshot wounds to the torso and back.
Officers and paramedics performed CPR at the scene before transporting him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
A 17-year-old boy, who was shot eight times, was rushed to Christ Medical Center in critical condition.
An 18-year-old man, suffering a gunshot wound to the arm, was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he is listed in good condition.
According to initial investigations, an altercation inside the apartment escalated, leading to multiple gunshots being fired. Chicago Police Department (CPD) officials confirmed that a person of interest—possibly the father of the victims—is in custody.
A firearm, along with several shell casings, was recovered from the scene.
Area Two Detectives are leading the homicide investigation, and authorities have not yet disclosed additional details.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com or contact the Chicago Police Department’s 5th (Calumet) District at (312) 747-8210.
The investigation remains active, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.