Deadly Shooting at Lakeland Restaurant Leaves One Dead, One Injured; Police Identify Suspects and Unfolding Events
LAKELAND, FL – A violent altercation outside a Lakeland restaurant on Thursday night has left one man dead and another hospitalized, following a shooting that has rocked the local community and drawn widespread attention from law enforcement.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call regarding gunfire at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill, located at 1323 Ariana Street, at approximately 9:31 p.m. on April 24, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds near the entrance of the establishment.
The victims were identified as Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland, and Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach. Both men were immediately transported to Lakeland Regional Health for emergency medical treatment. Despite the best efforts of hospital personnel, Jesse Banks was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Nicholas Lue was successfully stabilized and remains in recovery under medical supervision.
The Altercation That Turned Deadly
Preliminary findings, based on both eyewitness accounts and physical evidence gathered at the scene, suggest that the shooting stemmed from a heated verbal confrontation just outside the front entrance of Cali Rose 15 Kitchen. The dispute reportedly involved Banks, Lue, and a third individual identified as Tre D’Shon Huntly, 24, of Lakeland.
According to investigators, the situation escalated when Jesse Banks physically struck Huntly in the head, initiating a violent struggle. Witnesses say that, in response, a second unidentified male, who had been standing just inside the restaurant, opened the front door—reportedly to defend Huntly from further assault.
At that point, the aggression of Banks and Lue allegedly shifted toward this second male. Detectives state that both Banks and Lue produced a firearm and pointed it at the man, prompting a rapid and tragic escalation.
Gunfire was exchanged, resulting in both Banks and Lue being struck. The second male involved is believed to have fired in self-defense, though the full sequence of events remains under active investigation by the Lakeland Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit.
Community Shocked by Violence
The deadly incident has shaken patrons and staff of Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, a popular local eatery that recently rebranded after operating for years as Rush Hour Bar & Grill. Regulars described the atmosphere that night as “lively but calm,” until chaos erupted just outside the front door.
“I heard the shots and saw people running,” said one eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous. “We didn’t know what was going on. It all happened so fast.”
The restaurant was briefly closed following the shooting as investigators combed the scene for evidence, reviewed security camera footage, and conducted interviews with witnesses. Detectives have not confirmed how many total rounds were fired or which individual fired the fatal shot, but they are continuing to analyze forensic evidence to build a full timeline of events.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made at this time, and they are working to determine whether the shooting will lead to any criminal charges. Investigators emphasized that the man who fired in defense of Huntly has been cooperative, and early indications suggest he may have acted in self-defense.
“We are still gathering all relevant information,” said a spokesperson for the Lakeland Police Department. “Our goal is to fully understand the actions of each individual involved and determine whether any laws were broken.”
Detectives are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Lakeland Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
As the community mourns the loss of Jesse Banks and prays for the recovery of Nicholas Lue, local leaders are once again calling for greater conflict resolution efforts, especially among young adults.
“This tragic incident is a reminder of how quickly disagreements can spiral into irreversible violence,” said City Commissioner Phillip Walker. “We must do more to create safe spaces and encourage peaceful resolution of conflict.”
For updates, follow the Lakeland Police Department‘s official channels or visit local news outlets as more details become available.