LAKELAND, Fla. – A 45-year-old Lakeland man, Jessie Woullard, died early this morning following a shooting at the Fast Stop convenience store located at 820 E. Memorial Blvd. Ricardo Zelidon, 59, also of Lakeland, has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the incident.
According to a press release from the Lakeland Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 4:52 a.m. Upon arrival, they found Zelidon behind his vehicle with his hands raised in surrender. Inside another vehicle, officers discovered Woullard suffering from gunshot wounds.
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Woullard was immediately transported to Lakeland Regional Health for medical treatment. Tragically, despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The preliminary investigation, based on witness statements and evidence collected at the scene, revealed a confrontation between the two men. Detectives learned that Zelidon had been at the Fast Stop for several minutes before Woullard arrived. When Woullard parked his vehicle, Zelidon allegedly positioned his vehicle behind Woullard’s, preventing him from leaving.
Witnesses reported that Woullard attempted to back out of the parking space but was blocked. Zelidon then exited his vehicle armed with a firearm and wearing a ballistic vest. He approached Woullard’s vehicle and engaged in a brief argument before opening the driver’s side door and reportedly shooting Woullard twice.
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Following the shooting, Zelidon retreated to his vehicle and waited for law enforcement to arrive. Investigators have since learned that Zelidon had hired Woullard to perform work at his residence several weeks prior. Zelidon reportedly believed that Woullard had stolen a firearm from him during that time, which is believed to be the motive behind the deadly encounter.
Ricardo Zelidon has been taken into custody and charged with First Degree Murder. The investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
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