A Sunday afternoon argument at a Fort Lauderdale corner store escalated to gunfire when an employee allegedly opened fire on a man and his car in front of a child, according to police.
Fort Lauderdale police say the shooting unfolded around 2 p.m. outside Primo’s Stop on Northwest 19th Street. Officers say a 1-year-old child was in the back seat of the vehicle when bullets hit the car, leaving several bullet holes, but the child was not struck. Authorities arrested 44-year-old LaToya Shanee Friday, who now faces two counts of aggravated assault.
According to Local 10, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department says the confrontation started inside the convenience store when the victim argued with Friday and then walked out. Police say the man got into his car and appeared ready to confront her again when Friday came out of the store and began firing a pistol toward him and the vehicle. Neither the man nor the child was hit, and Friday was taken into custody and booked into Broward County detention on a $30,000 bond.
Where it happened
State business filings list Primo’s Stop at 2420 NW 19th Street, according to the Florida Department of State. Mapping services from MapQuest place the store a short block west of Rock Island Elementary School, whose site lists its campus at 2350 NW 19th Street.
Charges and legal context
Friday faces two counts of aggravated assault, according to Local 10. Under Florida law, aggravated assault, which can include an assault with a deadly weapon or an assault committed with intent to commit a felony, is classified as a third-degree felony. The statute sets out the elements of the offense and its classification; see Florida Statute 784.021 for the statutory definition and classification.
A recurring problem
The case adds to a string of everyday disputes turning violent in Broward County. Local outlets have tracked similar confrontations this year, including a bus-bench shooting reported by NBC6 and a 7-Eleven parking-lot shooting covered by WSVN, fueling ongoing concerns about how fast minor arguments can spiral into gunfire.
Investigators and tips
Fort Lauderdale investigators have not released a motive and say the case remains an active investigation. Anyone with information about the Primo’s Stop shooting can contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or reach out to local law enforcement through regular channels.
