A father of two is fighting for his life after a Clearwater, Florida Dunkin’ Donuts employee allegedly shot him on Monday night, March 6.
Officers from the Clearwater Police Department arrested 22-year-old Abdul Shakur Shaheed, an employee of the Dunkin’ Donuts in Clearwater, after he shot a customer outside the establishment.
According to the police, the employee got into a heated argument with Jewitt Steele, 38, who had just exited the store after buying ice cream for his two small children and his girlfriend.
Police were called to the Dunkin’ Donuts a little after 6 pm on Monday by the victim’s girlfriend with reports that he had been shot. She can be heard in the call comforting his two children, telling them their father would not die and would be okay.
Witnesses told police that Steele and his family left the store via the front door while the suspect used the restaurant’s back door. He caught up to Steele in the parking lot and started confronting him about something, and an argument ensued.
Speaking about the incident, Police Chief Daniel Slaughter told reporters that as far as the police knew, the two were strangers and cops were still trying to piece together what had happened in the parking lot.
Chief Slaughter said that the employee pulled out a gun and opened fire. He fired three times at the victim, hitting him twice in the legs, once on his upper right thigh and once on the left knee. Responding officers rushed Steele to the Bayfront Health Center, where he was treated for the gunshot wounds.
According to Chief Slaughter, there was no logic that the police could apply to explain how the incident unfolded, and they assumed there was a huge chunk of information they were missing. He said they would get a much clearer picture once they spoke to Steele after he was treated and would get more details about the incident.
Police arrested Shaheed in a neighboring parking lot with the weapon still on him. Chief Slaughter said it appeared the suspect bought the gun through legal channels.
Shaheed was charged with carrying a concealed gun and aggravated battery using a deadly weapon.
