Update: A Polk County judge denied bond Saturday to a Lakeland, Florida, city commissioner facing a second-degree murder charge for the deadly shooting of a suspected shoplifter. Commissioner Michael Dunn will remain held without bond at the Polk County Jail, the judge ruled. Dunn was indicted by a grand jury Friday.
The commissioner is accused of fatally shooting 50-year-old Christobal Lopez at Dunn’s business, Vets Army & Navy Surplus store in Lakeland, October 3. Dunn suspected Lopez was trying to leave the store without paying for an item. Dunn’s next court appearance is set for 8:15 a.m. November 6. The commissioner’s lawyer was not present at the Saturday hearing. According to statements, Lopez entered the store with his father. As his father was making a purchase, Dunn reportedly witnessed Lopez trying to steal a hatchet. Dunn stopped him and asked if he was going to pay for the item, then a confrontation ensued. Dunn is a co-owner of the store.
Lopez family’s attorney, Adam Kemp, released the following statement, prior to Dunn’s arrest: “There is no way to undo the life-shattering harm that Mr. Dunn caused, but we are pleased that the State Attorney’s Office is moving forward with criminal charges for such an unnecessary and egregious use of deadly force. We want to thank the State Attorney’s Office and State Attorney Brian Haas for making the decision to charge Mr. Dunn and not delaying justice. We are hopeful that through both this criminal proceeding and the civil suit we plan to file, Mr. Dunn will be held fully accountable for the senseless killing of Christobal Lopez.” Dunn was indicted on Friday and booked into the Polk County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. [Source: ABC Action News]