Crime & Safety

Man Shot, Killed After Pointing Gun-Shaped Lighter at Bouncer, Deputies Say

The 'gun' turned out to be a cigarette lighter with a laser light pointer.

A 29-year-old Tampa man isn’t likely to face charges after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say he shot and killed a bar patron who pointed a “red dot” laser light at him and the establishment’s manager during a brawl.

The incident began to unfold just before 1 a.m. Saturday when a fight broke out at the Crazy Horse Bar, 8829 W. Hillsborough Ave. According to the sheriff’s office, the victim’s brother was pepper sprayed inside the bar before the fight spilled out into the parking lot.

Find out what's happening in Westchasefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

As the brawl continued, the bar’s bouncer, Lou Armando Yordan, went to his car and took out a handgun. As he watched the fight continue, Yordan, an email from the sheriff’s office stated, noticed a red dot laser pointed at the bar’s manager. That laser light then changed direction to point at Yordan, the email said.

Yordan fired multiple shots, striking Angel Reyes, 22.

Find out what's happening in Westchasefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Reyes was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

“Investigating detectives recovered a cigarette lighter at the scene that was in the shape of a small hand gun. The cigarette lighter could also be utilized as a red dot laser pointer,” the sheriff’s office email stated.

No charges have been filed in the case as of yet and the sheriff’s office states that determination will be up to the State Attorney’s Office.

The investigation remains open, however.

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Westchase