LAKELAND, Fla. -- A convenience store owner was arrested after he shot a man who allegedly stole beer from the store.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Rennie Defoe Jr., 43, walked into the store at 125 Combee Road N on Tuesday night and walked out with three 18-packs of Natural Ice beer (about $36 worth) without paying for them.
Deputies said 22-year-old Mehedeun Hasan, co-owner of the business with his father, picked up a 9mm handgun from the store office and ran after Defoe to confront him. They said Defoe tossed the stolen beer then got in his 2005 white Toyota Camry in the store's parking lot.
When Hasan caught up to Defoe, he pointed the gun at Defoe while he was in the driver's seat and shot him as Defoe was backing up to leave, deputies said. A report said Defoe then drove off and crashed his vehicle at the intersection of East Main Street and Fish Hatchery Road.
Deputies said Defoe was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with a single gunshot wound to his left arm and chest. He's listed in critical condition.
A report said Hasan was arrested Wednesday and charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and attempted second-degree murder.
A person can only use deadly force if their life is threatened, sheriff's office spokesperson Scott Wilder said. Defoe did not show a weapon and only made verbal threats, which is why Hasan faces criminal charges.
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