Dispute between workers led to shooting

Police: Taunts led to fight then shooting at apartments.

WELLINGTON — An argument between moving-company employees at a Wellington apartment complex Sunday ended with one in the hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder and one in the Palm Beach County Jail, the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office said.

Jhaval Ward, 27, of West Palm Beach was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated battery and possession of a weapon by a felon, deputies said.

Judge Ted Booras set his bail at $300,000 during a hearing at the Palm Beach County Jail.

The shooting took place at about 4:15 p.m. at Waterstone at Wellington, a gated community along Forest Hill Boulevard, the sheriff ’s office said.

Witnesses told deputies that Ward was taunting a co-worker by blocking his path and laughing at him while the 55-year-old tried to take boxes into an apartment.

According to the report, the two got into a minor argument but soon got back to work.

A witness said that shortly after the argument, the driver of the moving truck paid Ward $50 and asked him to leave.

Ward accepted the money and left but returned a short time later, brandishing a black handgun, the report said.

Deputies say that Ward hit his co-worker in the back of the head with the pistol, knocking the man to the ground.

As Ward stood over the man, the two began to struggle over the firearm, causing the gun to go off and hitting the 55-year-old man in the shoulder, the report said.

Ward then fled, deputies said.

The injured man was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. A spokeswoman for the sheriff ’s office said he is expected to survive.

The sheriff ’s office said he is the first person shot in Wellington this year.

According to court records, Ward pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges of attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools.