2 shot in 2nd robbery at Lake City internet cafe, police say

3 robberies at internet cafes in Lake City since April, LCPD says

LAKE CITY, Fla. – Two employees were shot early Friday when an internet gaming cafe in Lake City was robbed for the second time, according to police.

The employees were both shot in the leg and were flown to UF Health in Gainesville. Their condition was not known, police said.

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According to the Lake City Police Department, officers responded to a robbery about 1:35 a.m. to the Treasure Island Internet Gaming Café at 1472 West U.S. 90.

The officer found the employees and rendered first aid, including applying newly acquired blood-clotting first-aid equipment, police said.

Witnesses told police that two men entered the cafe just after 1:30 a.m., immediately ordering all customers to get on the ground. At some point during the robbery, at least one suspect brandished a firearm while ordering employees to collect money for them, according to witnesses.

As the robbery progressed, both employees were shot in the leg, and the suspects ran off, police said. No suspect description was given.

According to LCPD, the Treasure Island casino has been robbed before and this was the third armed robbery of an internet café within Lake City since April. The other robberies were at similar businesses in unincorporated Columbia County.

LCPD also said it has responded to burglaries, felony narcotics violations, batteries, thefts and  trespassing at internet cafes this year.

“While this incident is still under investigation, it is clear to me already that tonight’s shooting was a needless tragedy,” Lake City Police Chief Argatha Gilmore said. “As we continue working to identify the two robbers involved, I ask that all citizens who choose to patronize internet cafes in the meantime remain alert. Stay aware of your surroundings and call law enforcement if you see anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information about Friday's robbery or others can contact the Lake City Police Department by e-mail at: tips@lcflapd.com or call anonymously on the TIP line at 386-719-2068.