Suspect Killed Three Coworkers Over Embarrassing Prank
Ocala, FL – You may want to reconsider playing a prank on your coworker as it could go horribly awry. Not only can it get you fired or sued these days, but it might even get you killed as was the case for three men in Ocala who were shot over an embarrassing video “punking” another coworker.
According to authorities, 31-year-old Andrew Joseph Lobban, a nightclub bouncer, lacked a complete sense of humor in response to a humiliating video when he shot three men just outside of AJ’s Bar on 11 East Silver Springs Boulevard around 12:45 am early Sunday morning.
When police responded to the business, they found three adult males lying just outside of the bar on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds. Two men were shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but succumbed to his wounds and was also pronounced dead.
K-9 units and officers managed to locate a handgun disposed of in the trash not far from the crime scene but haven’t linked the evidence ballistics to the gun as of yet.
Lobban was arrested shortly after the discovery of the victims and will be charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He is being held without bond and could either face life in prison or the death penalty for the capital offenses.
Officers say Lobban killed the three men due to his outrage over getting “punked.” The perpetrator admitted he shot the men over a poorly played prank, videotaping it, and showing it to others. The victims made the mistake of teasing Lobban over the contents of the tape, building to the murderous animosity.
ABC News reports, two of the victims have been identified as 20-year-old Jerry Lamar Bynes, and 25-year-old Josue Santiago, both of Ocala. The third victim is from Belleview, but his identity has not yet been released pending official notification of next of kin. Lobban worked with the victims as bouncers at a nightclub called Ocala Entertainment Complex.
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