On Saturday, April 6, 2024, a dispute at a Miami-area bar escalated into a deadly confrontation, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries.
The incident occurred at the Martini Bar in the CityPlace Doral complex, a bustling outdoor mall in Doral, Florida. Law enforcement officials reported that the confrontation began around 3:30 a.m.
According to reports, a verbal altercation at the bar prompted the intervention of 23-year-old security guard George Castellanos. The situation intensified when one of the people involved, identified as 37-year-old Jamal Wayne Wood, drew a firearm and fatally shot Castellanos.
Responding to the gunfire, two Doral police officers engaged Wood, shooting and killing him. During the exchange, one officer was wounded in the leg but managed to apply a tourniquet to himself. He was later listed in stable condition. Additionally, six bystanders, two women and four men, sustained injuries in the chaos, with two critically injured.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the Miami-Dade Police Department and Doral Police Department, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident. This includes reviewing surveillance footage to accurately determine the sequence of events and the individuals responsible for each gunshot. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence to clarify the tragic incident.
CityPlace Doral, an $800 million development that opened in 2017, is known for its vibrant mix of dining, retail, and residential spaces. Following the shooting, CityPlace Doral officials issued a statement referring to the event as an “isolated incident” and announced the implementation of additional security measures.
A patron at the establishment, Peter Jordan, recounted the horrifying moments of the incident, grappling with fears for his life. “The thoughts that go through your mind are, ‘Could this be it? Could my life end here?'” he shared with the local media.
The shooting has deeply affected the Doral community, a suburb renowned for its safety and family-friendly environment. “The tragedy that happened this morning at our establishment has deeply affected us, resulting in the loss of a loyal security guard and causing harm to several individuals,” the Martini Bar’s proprietors expressed in a statement to the local media.
George Castellanos, the slain security guard, was a beloved figure in the community, remembered for his aspirations to become a police officer and his upcoming graduation from Florida International University. Besides his parents, he leaves behind a two-year-old girl.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 4,200 people have lost their lives to gun violence in the U.S. in 2024 alone, with more than 7,500 others injured.
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga has called for a special meeting this week to address nightclub violence.
