Investigation Continues Into Shooting By Lakeland Commissioner

LAKELAND, FL -- The State Attorney's Office will determine if charges will be filed against a Lakeland city commissioner who shot and killed a man in his Army surplus store on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Lakeland Police were called to the Vets Army-Navy Surplus at 819 N. Florida Ave. in Lakeland at about 2:30 p.m. in response to a report of a shooting. Upon arriving, police discovered the body of 50-year-old Cristobal Lopez lying outside the front door of the store.

Lopez came into the store with his father. As his father was making a purchase, Lopez allegedly concealed a hatchet from the store in his pants. Store owner Mike Dunn, a Lakeland city commissioner, stopped Lopez as he was leaving the store and asked if he was going to pay for the hatchet. An argument followed and witnesses say Lopez pulled the hatchet from his pants and raised it. Fearing that Lopez intended to swing the hatchet at him, Dunn reportedly pulled a gun and shot Lopez twice.

There were two employees in the store at the time.

Dunn has served as a city commissioner since January. In addition to selling Army and Navy surplus clothing and equipment, the store sells guns.

Image via Lakeland government

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