Christopher Allen, a 33-year-old White man, was remembered by his family as a wonderful person who was loving, kind, and full of joy. His cousin described him as being "always ready to make you laugh—a true comedian." His mother said he was a wonderful person who always looked out for everyone. He worked at the Old Key Lime House restaurant in Lantana, Florida.
The night of December 10, 2024, began as a celebration for Christopher and his coworkers, who were attending their annual
holiday party. After the party, a group of them went to The Rock Irish Pub on Lake Avenue in Lake Worth Beach to continue the evening and play pool. Shortly before 1 a.m., an altercation began inside the pub when two men, later identified as Morey S. Pinard III and Michael B. Vititoe, bumped into one of Christopher’s coworkers, causing him to drop his camera.
According to witness statements, when the coworker asked if they were okay, the men responded aggressively, asking, "Yo, you got a problem?" The confrontation escalated, and Vititoe allegedly punched one of the men in the group. Investigators reported that Pinard then pulled out a firearm and opened fire inside the crowded establishment. Christopher Allen and his coworker, 24-year-old Steven Stratis, were shot and died at the scene. Two other coworkers, Reginald Gordon, 50, and Daquan Sigler, 30, were also shot and rushed to a local hospital.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting and launched a homicide investigation. Using surveillance footage, they identified Pinard, 23, and Vititoe, 29, and tracked their vehicle to a parking garage. Both men were arrested. Pinard was initially charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Vititoe was charged with simple battery and accessory after the fact to a homicide. At their first court appearance, a judge ordered Pinard to be held without bond, while Vititoe was granted a $15,000 bond and was released.
The case took a significant turn when Reginald Gordon, who had been in critical condition, died from his injuries a few days after the shooting. In March 2025, a grand jury indicted both Morey Pinard III and Michael Vititoe on three counts of first-degree murder. Following the indictment, Vititoe was re-arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on the upgraded charges. Court records show Pinard also faces charges of attempted murder, shooting into a building, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. As of March 2025, the case against both men was proceeding through the courts.
