If you’ve ever stayed near Walt Disney World and wanted something to do after the parks closed, there’s a good chance Old Town in Kissimmee came up. The shopping and entertainment district near Interstate 4 is packed with restaurants, bars, and rides, with Fun Spot America right next door.
Unfortunately, the news coming out of Old Town this weekend is heartbreaking. A woman was shot and killed by an off-duty Osceola County deputy late Saturday night at Sun on the Beach, a restaurant and bar in the district.
The investigation is ongoing, and many details haven’t been released. Here’s a rundown of what’s been confirmed so far.
Here’s What We Know
- When: Around 10:37 p.m. Saturday, November 14.
- Where: Sun on the Beach, a restaurant and bar at Old Town in Kissimmee.
- What led up to it: According to Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon, a woman and a man got into a disturbance. The sheriff said the woman pulled a pistol and held it against the man’s back as they walked out the front of the establishment and then back in.
- The shooting: Blackmon said deputies gave the woman multiple commands to drop the gun. When she raised it toward the man, a deputy fired one shot.
- The outcome: The woman died. Positively Osceola reported she was pronounced dead at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. No one else was hurt.
- The deputy: He was working off-duty security for the area, not on patrol, and has been with the sheriff’s office for almost seven years.
- The investigation: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, and the deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave.
In Their Own Words
Here’s what people at the center of the story have said, as reported by WESH 2 News.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon, on the moment the deputy fired: “She is not responding to anything we’re telling her. She raises the pistol up to the subject in front of her, the male, and our deputy fires one round into the lady.”
Blackmon, on the decision: “If she listened to our commands… we would not have fired our weapon. We had no choice.”
Blackmon, on the off-duty detail: “We have four deputies here that work off-duty for Old Town; two are at Fun Spot and two that work for Old Town.”
Alice Alicea, a visitor who had been dancing with the woman minutes earlier: “So, we were dancing and having a nice time, and all of a sudden, I sit, and four minutes later, I heard the shooting.” Alicea said she ran out through a back door, and later learned the woman had been shot. “So it really affected me, like, I was in shock.”
Your Questions, Answered (So Far)
Who was the woman? She has not been publicly identified. The sheriff said her next of kin had not yet been notified.
Who is investigating? The Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to the scene and is investigating the shooting.
What happens to the deputy? He has been placed on paid administrative leave, which Blackmon said is protocol. The sheriff said the deputy was not on patrol and was working in a security capacity at the time.
Will there be video? Yes. The sheriff’s office confirmed body-worn camera video is available from the deputies involved. A spokesperson told WESH 2 News it is expected to be released sometime later this week.
What caused the disturbance? Officials haven’t shared what led to the confrontation between the woman and the man.
Was anyone else hurt? No other injuries have been reported, according to the sheriff.
A Moment for Everyone Involved
We usually write about Old Town when there’s a fun new ride, or a great place to eat after a day at the parks. This weekend’s news is a sobering reminder that real life doesn’t pause just because you’re on vacation.
Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones, and with the guests and employees who were at Old Town on Saturday night. We’ll keep following the investigation and will share updates once the body camera video is released and officials provide more information.
If you’re a regular at Old Town or were nearby when this happened, you’re welcome to share your thoughts in the comments. Please keep the conversation respectful. A family is grieving, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
