Fight At Orlando Billiards Hall Ends In Man's Murder
POSTED: 7:15 am EST November 29, 2006
UPDATED: 12:45 pm EST November 29, 2006
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- One fight got worse and worse. It started as an argument at Backstage Billiards in Orlando, escalated into a fight and ended in murder.
Homicide detectives said they were starting to get calls from witnesses who were in the parking lot when a man was gunned down early Wednesday. But so far, no one was giving up the name of the shooter.
By the time detectives arrived early Wednesday morning, everyone had scattered and the parking lot outside Backstage Billiards on South Orange Blossom Trail was empty, making the job of investigators even tougher.
"It's just a matter of tracking these people down to find the missing pieces of the puzzle," said Commander Tom Cockriel, Orange County Sheriff's Office.
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What detectives do know is that, just as the bar inside was closing, two women got into an argument in the bathroom. Somehow, several men got involved and the fight became physical out in the parking lot. As many as five to ten people were involved in what detectives believe turned into an all-out brawl.
"From what witnesses are telling us, it was pretty much described to us as a melee, a huge fight if you will," said Sgt. Allen Lee, Orange County Homicide Detective.
It was so bad that one man pulled a baseball bat out of his car and started pummeling a man. That's when another man ran to his car and grabbed a small gun and shot a man. It's not clear if the victim, 31-year-old Jason Sousa, was the one wielding the bat, but his girlfriend and brother rushed him to Florida Hospital in Kissimmee where he later died.
Detectives have not recovered the murder weapon and they combed the area for clues. Meanwhile, the shooter remained on the run and the public's help is needed to find him.
"There are people that were here tonight that know him, possibly even other patrons in the bar. Same old story, people got to get involved and call us," Lee said.
Investigators said they're close to identifying the suspect and have several detectives on the streets checking out contacts and addresses. If you have any information, you're urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
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follow-up story
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Man Accused Of Orlando Billiard Hall Murder Turns Self In
POSTED: 11:52 am EST November 30, 2006
UPDATED: 11:57 am EST November 30, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The accused shooter in an Orange County murder turned himself in Wednesday night.
Detectives said Derick Cordero shot and killed 31-year-old Jason Sousa early Wednesday morning during a brawl at the Backstage Billiards on Orange Blossom Trail.
Cordero turned himself in Wednesday night. He was with his lawyer and refused to give his version of the shooting.
POSTED: 7:15 am EST November 29, 2006
UPDATED: 12:45 pm EST November 29, 2006
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- One fight got worse and worse. It started as an argument at Backstage Billiards in Orlando, escalated into a fight and ended in murder.
Homicide detectives said they were starting to get calls from witnesses who were in the parking lot when a man was gunned down early Wednesday. But so far, no one was giving up the name of the shooter.
By the time detectives arrived early Wednesday morning, everyone had scattered and the parking lot outside Backstage Billiards on South Orange Blossom Trail was empty, making the job of investigators even tougher.
"It's just a matter of tracking these people down to find the missing pieces of the puzzle," said Commander Tom Cockriel, Orange County Sheriff's Office.
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4 p.m. Headlines
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What detectives do know is that, just as the bar inside was closing, two women got into an argument in the bathroom. Somehow, several men got involved and the fight became physical out in the parking lot. As many as five to ten people were involved in what detectives believe turned into an all-out brawl.
"From what witnesses are telling us, it was pretty much described to us as a melee, a huge fight if you will," said Sgt. Allen Lee, Orange County Homicide Detective.
It was so bad that one man pulled a baseball bat out of his car and started pummeling a man. That's when another man ran to his car and grabbed a small gun and shot a man. It's not clear if the victim, 31-year-old Jason Sousa, was the one wielding the bat, but his girlfriend and brother rushed him to Florida Hospital in Kissimmee where he later died.
Detectives have not recovered the murder weapon and they combed the area for clues. Meanwhile, the shooter remained on the run and the public's help is needed to find him.
"There are people that were here tonight that know him, possibly even other patrons in the bar. Same old story, people got to get involved and call us," Lee said.
Investigators said they're close to identifying the suspect and have several detectives on the streets checking out contacts and addresses. If you have any information, you're urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
================
follow-up story
================
Man Accused Of Orlando Billiard Hall Murder Turns Self In
POSTED: 11:52 am EST November 30, 2006
UPDATED: 11:57 am EST November 30, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The accused shooter in an Orange County murder turned himself in Wednesday night.
Detectives said Derick Cordero shot and killed 31-year-old Jason Sousa early Wednesday morning during a brawl at the Backstage Billiards on Orange Blossom Trail.
Cordero turned himself in Wednesday night. He was with his lawyer and refused to give his version of the shooting.
