COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – An armed man shot himself after he was confronted by deputies and Lake City police officers Tuesday at a Mexican restaurant on U.S. Highway 90, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies and Lake City officers responded to reports of an active shooting at El Potro Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday and heard gunfire coming from the parking lot, the sheriff’s office said.
Recommended Videos
As officers moved toward the sound, they encountered an armed man and gave several commands to drop the weapon. Instead, the man raised the firearm and shot himself.
Deputies secured the scene and provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to an area hospital with severe injuries. No law enforcement officers were injured, and none fired their weapons, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators are continuing to look into what happened before officers arrived, and there is no known ongoing danger to the public.
Anyone with information about the shooting, what led up to it, or who was at the restaurant is asked to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (386) 752-3222, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the dispatch center at (386) 719-2005, available 24/7.
Tips may be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099 or at www.columbiacrimestoppers.net.