1 killed, 1 injured in Lakeland convenience store shooting: Police

LAKELAND, Fla. - A shooting at a Lakeland convenience store left a father of four dead and wounded an 18-year-old female.

What we know:

According to the Lakeland Police Department, the shooting occurred shortly before 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday at the Fast Stop convenience store, 820 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland.

The backstory:

Police say 19-year-old Cornelius Gilmore Jr., and an 18-year-old female acquaintance went to the Fast Stop convenience store in separate vehicles shortly after 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

They went inside the store to make a purchase and got back in their respective vehicles.

As the woman was trying to back out, police say 37-year-old Joshua Graham was pulling in, trying to park in a space next to her.

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Police say Graham apparently became upset because the woman nearly backed into his path and he called her a derogatory name.

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Instead of leaving, police say the woman pulled back into her spot and both she and Gilmore got out of their vehicles to confront Graham.

Police say Graham tried to enter the store but was blocked by Gilmore.

The two argued further; then the altercation turned physical. The physical altercation continued as the two moved between cars in the parking lot, according to LPD.

Dig deeper:

Police say Gilmore pulled out a handgun and shot in Graham’s direction but missed and struck the woman in the leg.

Graham had moved past Gilmore and Gilmore turned to fire one more time, striking Graham in the head, according to investigators.

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Police say Gilmore was the aggressor and blocked the victim from entering the store. It doesn’t appear that Graham knew the woman or Gilmore before this incident.

"It is very tragic, especially for something so minor to spin out of control," said Stephanie Kerr, an LPD spokesperson.

Gilmore was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder in the second degree and carrying a concealed firearm.

What they're saying:

Jessie Graham is now mourning the loss of her 37-year-old son, Joshua Graham, who she said was a father of four.

"They took my son from his kids and from me. It's not right. It's not fair," said Jessie Graham. "All I know is my son laid here on this pavement and died here alone."

The victim's mother wants guns out of the hands of young people.

"These young got these guns, and they need to be taken off the streets," said Jessie. "My son wasn't perfect, but he was somebody, and he was getting his life right. They need to get them off the streets."

What we don't know:

Police have not released the 18-year-old woman's identity.

The investigation is still ongoing however police said it doesn't appear to be a stand your ground case.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Lakeland Police Department.

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