SANFORD, Fla. – New surveillance video obtained by Local 10 News Monday shows the moments a security guard risked it all to stop a teen gunman who authorities say left 10 people wounded in a shootout at a Florida restaurant over the weekend, including Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell.
The shootout happened early Sunday during a party at the Cabana Live restaurant in Sanford, north of Orlando. More than 200 people were at the restaurant when 16-year-old Christopher Bouie, of Daytona Beach, opened fire after an altercation, followed by an unidentified male also opening fire, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Monday.
“Deputies initially responded to the venue just after midnight to establish an area patrol due to a large crowd, estimated at around 200 individuals,” a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office news release stated.
Authorities said the event was promoted as “No One Leaves Sober” and did not have the required event permit.
Detectives confirmed ten victims sustained non-life threatening injuries from the shooting and nine of those people had been treated and released from the hospital as of Monday.
The shootout could have been much worse if not for an unnamed security guard who tackled Bouie, Lemma said at a news conference.
Surveillance video shows the moments the heroic security guard, who asked to remain unidentified, bringing Bouie to the ground just moments after he fired bullets from inside the restaurant.
“The heroic actions of this security officer took a very dangerous situation and made it less significant than it potentially could have been. He tackled this guy from behind and brought him to the ground,” Lemma said. “We are incredibly lucky that nobody is dead and there aren't more injuries.”
Dell, who is from the nearby Daytona Beach area, was caught in the middle, Lemma said. He was treated for a “minor wound” and released from a hospital later Sunday, according to the Texans. The sheriff didn’t provide any details on Dell’s injury.
Authorities are hoping to speak to the unidentified gunman, whose actions might have been justified under Florida's self-defense laws, authorities said.
“This was a shootout that was going back and forth,” Lemma said.
An arrest report said there was probable cause to charge Bouie with attempted homicide, firing a weapon on public property, possession of a firearm by a minor and using a firearm during a felony, but final charging decisions will be up to local prosecutors, Lemma said.