Crime
2 Old Key Lime House members killed in shooting during Christmas party at Rock Irish Pub in Lake Worth Beach
Detectives worked swiftly, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, which led to the arrests of 23-year-old Morey Pinard III and 19-year-old Michael Vititoe on Wednesday.
A fatal shooting at a downtown Lake Worth Beach bar early Tuesday morning has claimed the lives of two men, injured two others, and resulted in the arrests of two suspects, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO).
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the Rock Irish Pub, located in the 600 block of Lake Avenue.
Deputies arrived to find a chaotic scene: two men dead inside the bar and two others suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims have since been identified as 33-year-old Christopher Allen and 24-year-old Steven Stratis, both employees of the popular local restaurant Old Key Lime House.
Two additional male coworkers were wounded—one remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while the other is reportedly in stable condition.
A witness, who identified herself as a coworker of the victims, described the evening as one that began in celebration but ended in tragedy.
“We were having our Christmas party at Lilo’s Streetfood and Bar earlier in the night,” she recounted. “Afterward, we crossed the street to the Rock Irish Pub to play pool. I stepped outside for a moment, and when I came back, I saw deputies arriving and two of my coworkers lying on the floor. One was in really bad shape, and the other was already in an ambulance.”
Detectives worked swiftly, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, which led to the arrests of 23-year-old Morey Pinard III and 19-year-old Michael Vititoe on Wednesday.
Pinard has been charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm
- Two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm
Vititoe faces charges of:
- Accessory after the fact to a homicide
- Simple battery
Both suspects are currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail and are scheduled to attend their first court appearances Thursday morning.
According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from an altercation that broke out inside the pub. The situation escalated, leading to gunfire that left four men wounded and devastated the close-knit Lake Worth Beach community.
The Rock Irish Pub remains closed as detectives continue their investigation. Crime scene tape surrounds the area, and officers are canvassing nearby businesses for additional surveillance footage.
The PBSO has asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in resolving the case.
“Christopher and Steven were well-loved in the community,” a local resident shared. “It’s heartbreaking that something like this happened during what should have been a joyful time.”
Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge of the shooting to contact Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers or PBSO directly. Anonymous tips are welcomed as investigators work to uncover the full details of this tragic event.
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.