LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man is behind bars today following a deadly confrontation in a pool hall parking lot early Thursday morning. Police took 23-year-old Kevin Lamont Reed Jr. into custody at his home around 10:00 p.m. on March 5, 2026, just hours after the shooting claimed the life of 48-year-old Steven Michael Magee. Reed now faces charges of Second Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
The violence broke out around 12:35 a.m. at Wally’s Poolhall on East Main Street. According to investigators, both men had been inside the establishment earlier that night but did not interact while indoors.
Reed had been at the hall with two women, and the group walked out to the parking lot shortly after midnight. Magee followed outside a few minutes later at 12:28 a.m.
Detectives say a verbal dispute quickly turned physical. Witnesses reported seeing one of the women try to hold Reed back during the argument. As the tension escalated, Magee reportedly backed away with his hands raised in an apparent attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Police say Reed followed him and pushed him. While Reed initially turned to walk away, he stopped after a few steps, spun back around, and opened fire with a handgun.
Magee was struck multiple times but managed to draw his own weapon and return fire as he collapsed to the ground. Reed then fled the scene in a vehicle. When officers arrived, they found Magee unconscious on the sidewalk. He was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health but later died from his wounds.
Law enforcement recovered a handgun near Magee at the scene. Upon arresting Reed later that evening, detectives located a second firearm believed to be the murder weapon, which has been sent off for forensic testing.
While an arrest has been made, the Lakeland Police Department stated that the case remains an active investigation.
READ: Cop Tases Suspect After He Points A Loaded Gun At Him During Arrest! LEO Talk Show
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