Suspect arrested for shooting at Charlotte County nightclub

Reporter: Sydney Persing Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Gary Allen Potter II, 21. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect involved in the early morning shooting at a Charlotte County nightclub has been arrested.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Gary Allen Potter II, 21, Friday. Potter is accused of shooting one person at Emerald City Gentleman’s Club just north of Port Charlotte.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting off Tamiami Trail and El Jobean Road, one of the busiest intersections in the area, at around 2:15 a.m.

According to CCSO, Potter had been kicked out of the club due to drunken behavior. Then, Potter got into an argument with a woman outside the club. When another man tried to help, witnesses told law enforcement Potter pulled a out a handgun and fired eight to 10 shots toward him, hitting the victim at least three times.

“Only one person was injured in the incident” said Katie Heck with public information officer CCSO. “He is being treated and as far as we know is in stable condition.”

Witnesses who provided sworn statements said Potter fled the scene alone in a Volkswagen Jetta, and investigators began searching for him upon arrival to the scene. Law enforcement officers searched almost nine hours before Lee County deputies identified and arrested him within their jurisdiction.

“We had the vehicle description,” Heck said. “There was a sort of be on the lookout notification that was put out to surrounding agencies, and Lee County was able to locate the vehicle for us.”

Potter faces charges for Aggravated Battery With A Deadly Weapon and Possession/ Discharge Of A Firearm Causing Great Bodily Injury.

Potter is in Lee County Jail with bond set at $250,000.

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