Lake City construction worker fires gun at would-be robber

LAKE CITY, Fla. — The Lake City Police Department is looking for a young male who reportedly tried to rob a man who was working at a construction site.

On May 15, the Lake City Police Department responded to Duval St regarding an attempted robbery. Arriving officers made contact with the victim, who was doing construction work at Shirley’s Restaurant. According to the victim, while working outside the business, he was contacted by an unknown black male — described as in his late teens — who asked him for money.

The man didn’t give person money, and the subject left the area. A short time later, the victim says the subject approached him as he was wrapping up his job for the night.

The man said when the subject got close, he pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and said “put your hands up.” The construction worker, who holds a concealed carry permit, drew his weapon and fired two shots. He then ran into a building, locked the door and called police.

Police established a perimeter around the area and tried to track the suspect with K9s, without success. The construction worker said he didn’t think he hit the suspect, and no blood was found in the area.

The suspect remains unknown at this time. He is described as a 15-17 year old black male, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7 with short-cropped hair. Police say he was last seen wearing a pair of black gym shorts. He had a tattoo with blue cursive letters across his upper chest.

The construction worker was not charged because police said he acted in self-defense.

Cox Media Group