LAKE CITY, Fla. — Three people were injured in an early morning shooting near a nightclub, and a suspect was taken into custody hours later, according to the Lake City Police Department.
Officers responded around 12:54 a.m. April 26, 2026, to Encore on North Marion Avenue after receiving a report of a person shot.
When officers arrived, they found multiple victims near the rear of the business along Northeast Railroad Street. Police said officers immediately began life-saving measures on one victim found inside a vehicle while additional victims were located nearby.
In total, three individuals were shot. Two were transported to a local hospital, while a third was airlifted to a nearby trauma center.
Investigators determined the shooting occurred across the street in a parking lot. Officers secured the scene and recovered shell casings along with multiple areas of blood evidence.
Detectives identified 34-year-old Davario Tyshon Watkins as the suspect.
Around 3:45 a.m., a deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office located Watkins’ red Nissan pickup truck at an apartment complex on Northwest County Road 25A. Watkins was detained a short time later.
Police Chief Gerald Butler said the incident was violent and placed multiple lives at risk, crediting first responders for their quick actions.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional details will be released as they become available.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Columbia County.