Crystal River bar employee shot and killed by irate patron
Photo graphic courtesy of CCSO.
Crystal River, Florida - Gabriel Hugh Trainor, 24, of Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, was arrested Friday morning, February 2, 2024, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 26 year-old Edward James Bennis, shortly before 1:25 am, Friday, February 2, 2024, in the parking lot of Norton's Riverside Bar and Grill, located at 16 NE 5th St. (State Road 44) in Crystal River.
Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched to the bar as the result of calls that reported a shooting. Deputies arrived at the bar's parking lot to find a young man - later identified as 26 year-old Edward James Bennis, an employee of the bar - with several gunshot wounds. Despite immediate lifesaving measures, Bennis succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the shooting incident.
According to witnesses, the suspect of the shooting, Gabriel Hugh Trainor, a patron at the bar, had gotten into a minor altercation with another patron inside the bar that continued to the front patio. Mr. Bennis, the victim, made a verbal attempt to stop the argument, and Trainor walked outside to his car. Several minutes later, Bennis returned outside and continued to argue with Trainor, who armed himself with a handgun and shot Bennis multiple times.
Following an interview at the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center, Trainor was placed under arrest, charged with second-degree murder. He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto, Florida where he will be held without bond.
"This is a tragic incident. My condolences go out to the family of Mr. Bennis," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Unfortunately, arguments too often turn violent, when alcohol is involved. Trainor not only made the decision to take another man's life, but also endangered other citizens with his reckless discharge of a firearm. This behavior will not be tolerated in Citrus County, and we will work diligently with our partners in the Fifth Judicial Circuit to ensure Trainor is no longer a danger to our law-abiding citizens."