On June 11, 2023, 18-year-old Fernando Garcia Nunez was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Palmetto, Florida. The incident occurred in the rear parking lot of The Hall nightclub, located on U.S. 301 North. Police responded to a disturbance in the parking lot and, upon arrival, heard a single gunshot. As officers made their way through the crowd, they found Garcia Nunez lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.
Garcia Nunez was rushed to Blake Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital. The investigation revealed that the suspect, 21-year-old Jose Gomez, had confronted a juvenile brother and sister in the parking lot and pointed a handgun at them. Garcia Nunez intervened in the altercation, which led to him being shot by Gomez.
Jose Gomez was arrested a few hours after the shooting and was booked into the Manatee County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm. The Palmetto Police Department is still investigating the case and has appealed for anyone with information or witnesses to come forward.
The community is encouraged to contact Detective Richard Wilson or Manatee County Crime Stoppers to provide any relevant information regarding the incident. This tragic event resulted in the loss of a young life, and authorities are working to ensure justice is served.
