By Steve Plunkett and Mary Thurwachter
Three Old Key Lime House workers have died following a shooting Dec. 10 in Lake Worth Beach after a company holiday party.
The men were among four of the Lantana restaurant’s employees who were shot in the incident. Two of the employees died soon after the shooting and another Dec. 28 in the hospital.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified the two initial deceased as Christopher Allen, 32, and Steven Stratis, 25.
Deputies charged Morey S. Pinard III, 23, of Delray Beach, with two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm. Also charged was Michael B. Vititoe, 29, of Boynton Beach, with simple battery and accessory after the fact-homicide.
Almost three weeks after the incident, Reginald Gordon, 50, succumbed to his injuries, the Sheriff’s Office said. The appropriate charges are forthcoming, the office said. Restaurant owner Ryan Cordero told television station WPTV-Ch. 5 that his employees went to The Rock Irish Pub at 614 Lake Ave. after a company party at nearby Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar.
Deputies were sent to the scene at 1 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said.
“The preliminary investigation is believed that an altercation occurred inside the establishment resulting in the shooting,” PBSO said in a news release.
The dead men were a young military veteran, a barback, and the restaurant’s kitchen manager. The other man shot, Daquan Sigler, was a line cook.
Gordon’s nephew, who was at the pub, was punched in the face by Vititoe, according to the arrest report. Gordon stepped in and attempted to stop the fight and that’s when Pinard, who was with Vititoe, began shooting, the report said.
At the Dec. 10 Lantana Town Council meeting, Mayor Karen Lythgoe shared the news that it was employees of the restaurant who had been shot in the incident.
“I asked everyone to keep the victims, family and friends in their thoughts,” Lythgoe said.
Old Key Lime House held a fundraiser for the victims on Dec. 22.
Comments