‘We got to unite’: Friends identify local artist as Palatka shooting victim

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — UPDATE 1:34 p.m.- The Palatka Police Department have officially identified 26-year-old Luther Ward and 32-year-old Dontae Diaz, who goes by Antepyle Sanchez, as the victims that passed away as a result of Saturday’s shooting. The police department also said that the other victims are recovering and have been discharged from the hospital.

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A shooting outside a Palatka supper club left two people dead, and two more in the hospital with serious injuries. Palatka police said a fifth victim was beaten.

The owner of Vick’s Supper Club said a crowd of more than 100 people gathered in a grass lot just outside his business Saturday night for a Labor Day party.

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Police were watching on from across the street when officers said gunfire broke out after an argument and several cars took off . Witnesses described hearing up to a dozen gun shots.

Friends identified Antpyle Sanchez, a local artist, as one of the victims. He had a newborn on the way.

“At the end of the day, it wasn’t worth it. At the end of the day, this is a small community and everybody knows everybody,” Lambo Gallardo, one of Sanchez’s friends, said. “[Sanchez] was good person, a good man. He was really respected in the community and took care of a lot of people and had a lot of love.”

Friends also identified Luther Ward Jr., a local truck driver, as the second victim.

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The owner of Vick’s Supper Club said he’s asked police to step in to control crowds that gather outside his business, but they would only monitor from across the street. The club is open to 40-year-olds and up on Fridays and 21 and up on Fridays.

Neighbors said crime often happens surrounding the business, but the owner said he hasn’t had many problems inside his establishment which has been open for nearly five decades.

In a statement, Mayor Terrill Hill said he’s, “Praying for healing in the community and those involved... [and] looking to law enforcement to put together a strategy to make sure we don’t have to deal with this anymore.”

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Hill is running for re-election and is headed to a run-off in November against Robbie Correa. Correa told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that the police department has limited resources, especially mental health. She looks to increase the number of services available city-wide.

Officers called on surrounding counties to help with their response to the scene Saturday night.

Friends call for an end to the violence. “Think about consequence. For every action there’s a reaction. And you have to think about the consequence,” Gallardo said.

Police said there’s no suspect in custody but added that this was an isolated incident and there’s no threat to the community. Officers did not provide an update Monday on the condition of the other three victims.

Read: Shooting at Palatka supper club leaves 2 dead, 2 in critical condition, 5th person beaten – Action News Jax

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