ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — WARNING: You may find the video below graphic in nature — Newly released video from the State Attorney’s Office shows the moments that led up to a deadly shooting in St. Augustine in May.
In the video, a small crowd can be seen outside the Dos Gatos bar.
When you watch the video below, Action News Jax has circled the suspect in red and the victim in white.
According to investigators, the video appears to show the victim, Adam Amoia, hit the suspect, Luis Casado, in the face and his glasses fly off.
Then another bystander appears to punch Casado in the face, as the victim appears to continue to slap the suspect.
We’ve paused the video just before the deadly shot was fired. According to court documents, Casado fired his gun seven times.
Casado was arrested about a month after the shooting and charged with manslaughter and a weapons charge. The 30-year-old pleaded not guilty and claims self-defense.
Action News Jax Law & Safety Expert Dale Carson reviewed the footage.
“A use of deadly force is inappropriate in a circumstance where you were not in fear of death or great bodily harm.”
Carson said manslaughter is the lowest level of homicide. He added this is an example of why guns are prohibited inside bars.
Adam Amoia’s brother, Leonard, did not want to comment specifically on the footage but made it clear their fight for Adam’s justice isn’t over.
“We have our faith in the justice system. We have our faith in the state attorney. We have our faith in the evidence,” Leonard said. “He was a kind, loving, generous, and just a warm, beautiful person.”
Family described Amoia as a father figure for his four brothers. They told Action News Jax he was a peacekeeper and that fighting did not sound like him.
Prior to the shooting, investigators say the video shows the suspect talking to the victim for more than five minutes. At times, the suspect appears to be smiling and laughing.
Casado’s next court date is October 28th.
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