Three People Shot Outside Lake City Venue, Suspect in Custody

LAKE CITY, Fla. – Three people were shot early Sunday morning outside a Lake City venue, and one suspect is now in custody, according to the Lake City Police Department.

At approximately 12:54 a.m. Sunday, April 26, officers responded to Encore, located at 556 N. Marion Ave., regarding a report of a person shot, according to LCPD.

Upon arrival, officers located multiple gunshot victims near the rear of the venue on NE Railroad Street.

Officers began providing lifesaving measures to one victim inside a vehicle, LCPD said. Lake City Fire Department and EMS personnel arrived and continued medical treatment.

In total, three people were shot – two were transported to a local hospital, and one was airlifted to a nearby trauma center.

Investigators determined the shooting took place across the street in a parking lot.

Officers secured the scene, located several fired shell casings and identified multiple areas of blood evidence. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division responded and continued the investigation, according to LCPD.

Through investigative efforts, LCPD identified Davario Watkins as the suspect. At approximately 3:45 a.m., a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy located Watkins’ red Nissan pickup truck at Pleasant Point Apartments, 153 NW County Road 25A, according to LCPD. Watkins was detained a short time later.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, LCPD said. The department thanked the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Fire Department and EMS personnel for their assistance.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact LCPD at (386) 752-4343, the LCPD TIPS line at (386) 719-2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.