Man arrested after argument leads to deadly parking lot shooting at Lakeland pool hall: Police

LAKELAND, Fla. - Police arrested a man in connection with a shooting that left a 48-year-old man dead early Thursday morning outside a pool hall, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

The backstory:

Investigators say the shooting happened shortly after 12:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Wally's Poolhall, located at 1136 E. Main St. Officers arrived to find Steven Magee lying on the sidewalk unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Health, where he later died.

The suspected shooter, Kevin Lamont Reed Jr., 23, was taken into custody at his home around 10 p.m. on Thursday.

READ MORE: Man killed after shots fired during argument outside Lakeland pool hall: Police

Detectives say both Magee and Reed had been inside the pool hall earlier Thursday night but did not interact while inside the business. Reed had been there with two women and went outside shortly after midnight, while Magee walked out around 12:28 a.m.

Dig deeper:

According to witness statements, an argument began between the two men outside. One of the women reportedly tried to hold Reed back as the disagreement escalated.

Police say Magee began backing away with his hands up, appearing to try to de-escalate the situation.

Reed allegedly followed Magee and pushed him before briefly turning to walk back toward the pool hall. Investigators say Reed then turned back, pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds at Magee.

Magee then drew his own firearm and fired back three times as he was falling to the ground, according to detectives. Reed was not hit by any of the gunfire and left the scene in a vehicle.

Officers found a gun near Magee when they arrived. When Reed was arrested later that night, detectives found another firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. 

Reed, of Lakeland, faces charges of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. He had his first appearance in court Friday and was given no bond. 

Magee and his wife, Bridget, were high school sweethearts — graduates of Lakeland High School. They share five children and have been married for more than 25 years.

Wally's Poolhall is collecting donations for Magee's family.