Suspect Kills Man When He Asks For Cell Phone Back: Sheriff

DUNDEE, FL — A man was shot and killed after an argument as he demanded the return of his cell phone back. The victim and the accused shooter lived in the same Dundee motel rental complex, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Mark Anthony Callahan Jr., 27, of Dundee and the victim fought in Callahan's motel room at Monticello Motel, 28500 U.S. Highway 27 on Sunday, police said.

Authorities did not share what the suspect and victim fought about.

The victim left his cell phone in the suspect's room when he left after the fight, investigators said.

Moments after the victim left, he returned to the motel parking lot and as he stood by his vehicle, he yelled to Callahan to give him his cell phone back, said deputies.

The affidavit said the victim stood 35 feet away from Callahan's room and didn't charge at him.

Callahan told officers that the victim reached into his pocket and he thought he had a gun, according to the affidavit.

Detectives said when police arrived, they found the victim lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound.

According to witnesses, the suspect didn't threaten to harm Callahan or mention anything about having a weapon when he reached into his pocket as he continued to ask for his cell phone.

The victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested Callahan early Sunday morning.

Deputies said Callahan faces the following charges:

• Second-degree murder
• Possession of short-barreled shotgun
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Due to Marsy's Law, the Polk County Sheriff's Office will not release the identify of the victim.