Spring Hill man charged in fatal shooting outside bar

SPRING HILL, Florida. – A Spring Hill man is suspected of shooting another man outside a bar over the weekend.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office said 35-year-old Joshua Howard is facing charges of second-degree murder. He is currently hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself while trying to run from the crime scene.

Officers said they went to Mermaids Lounge on Commercial Way in Spring Hill after a shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses told officers that Willie Joe Frazier Jr. was shot multiple times by Howard as he stood outside the bar.

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Frazier was taken to the hospital, but the sheriff's office said he succumbed to his injuries.

Howard tried to run away after the shooting, but investigators said he accidentally shot himself in the side while trying to tuck his gun into his waistband.

Courtesy: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

According to HCSO, officers arrested Howard outside a nearby business at the intersection of Berkeley Manor Boulevard and Frontage Road.

Authorities believe the incident began at Mermaids Lounge when the victim collided with the suspect. Howard then left the bar and waited for Frazier outside the front door, officials said.

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When the victim left the bar a few minutes later, Howard confronted him about “why he had touched him,” according to investigators. The two exchanged words, and Frazier walked away.

However, officers said Howard followed the victim, at which point Frazier apparently struck the suspect. Howard then pulled out his gun and shot the victim multiple times, which was captured on video surveillance, according to HCSO.

Howard is being guarded by the Pasco Sheriff's Office at an area trauma center. Officials said he will be taken to the Pasco County Jail after he is released from the hospital.

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