Inmate on work release at Arby’s hunted down and shot by old rivals, FL cops say
A double shooting during the lunch rush at Arby’s was a case of three men trying to take out a rival before he’s officially released from prison, according to investigators in Florida.
The wounded included the intended target — who is participating in a prison work release program — and a juvenile employee who got in their way, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said in a Friday, June 27, news release.
It happened around 11:30 a.m. June 26 at an Arby’s in Lake City, about a 60-mile drive west from Jacksonville, the sheriff’s office said.
“The suspects entered the restaurant and began shooting at their intended target who retreated toward the back of the kitchen area,” the sheriff’s office said.
“During this time, a juvenile employee of the restaurant was also struck by one of the bullets. The juvenile victim, who lives in Lake City, was simply attempting to find cover and was an innocent bystander. He had no prior involvement with any of the suspects.”
The three fled the restaurant and were located minutes later, driving on Interstate 75, officials said. A trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol rammed the vehicle to bring it to a stop, and the suspects were arrested, officials said.
A weapon tossed from the vehicle during the chase was recovered with the help of a search dog, the sheriff’s office said.
The suspects were two 20-year-old men and an 18-year-old and they are being held without bond, officials said. Details of the charges have not been released.
The three drove to the restaurant from Jacksonville “to target a person who was known to them as a result of an ongoing feud,” officials said.
“The target of their shooting is an adult with previous ties to Jacksonville. He was currently in Lake City as part of the Department of Corrections’ ‘Work Release’ program, and has been employed with Arby’s,” the sheriff’s office said.
The wounded juvenile has been released from a hospital, while the adult victim remains in serious condition, officials said.
“This reckless crime was committed in a local restaurant during lunch hours in a heavily populated area of our community,” the sheriff’s office reported. “This foolish act endangered the lives of those who were simply going about their day.”
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 6:47 AM with the headline "Inmate on work release at Arby’s hunted down and shot by old rivals, FL cops say."