Two dead in shooting at ‘teen’ party
Gunfire erupted at a nightclub hosting a swimsuit-themed party for teens in Florida, leaving two teens dead and at least 17 other people wounded, officials said Monday.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the violence but authorities said the shooting was not an act of terror. Police detained three people and were searching for others, interim Police Chief Dennis Eads said.
The slain teens were 14-yearold Sean Archilles and 18-yearold Stef’an Strawder, police said. Archilles lived about a mile from the nightclub, and loved to play football and basketball, said his father, Jean Archilles.
“He liked to make people laugh. He’s a funny kid. He’s always joking,” Jean Archilles said.
Strawder starred on the basketball team for Lehigh High School, averaging more than 15 points a game as a junior, according to The News-Press.
“Everyone was afraid to play against him because he was so good. He would guide you and give you advice on how to
step up your game and how to guard him and things like that,” said 16-year-old Peyton Hebon, who started playing against Strawder in travel basketball leagues in sixth grade.
Strawder was always positive and energetic and was unstoppable on the court, Hebon said.
Four people were in the hospital. Two were in critical condition and two in fair condition, said Lisa Sgarlata, the chief administrative officer at Lee Memorial
Health System.
All of the other patients were treated and released. The victims ranged in ages from 12 to 27.
“It’s horrible when these things happen,” Gov. Rick Scott said at an afternoon news conference. He noted that the state is currently seeing a 45-year low in the crime rate.
There were two active crime scenes – the club and a street in the area, which also remained closed as police investigated.