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Lakeland Police: 1 Shot Before Shooter Kills Self At Publix Warehouse

Tribune photo by JIM REED

The shooting happened at a Publix warehouse in 3400 block of George Jenkins Highway.

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TBO.com

Published: February 17, 2009

Updated: 02/17/2009 03:05 pm

One person was shot outside a Publix warehouse in Lakeland today, and the alleged shooter committed suicide outside the warehouse, Lakeland police said.

The shooting occurred about 11:45 a.m. in the 3400 block of George Jenkins Highway. The victim and suspect were described as coworkers in Publix's fresh produce department.

The victim, Robinson Joseph, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Gillen said. Further details on Joseph weren't immediately available.

The alleged shooter was Christopher J. Robinson, 21, police said.

Robinson had worked at the store since he was 18, according to Keyafi Eeler, who said she was his girlfriend of seven years. She said they had three children together.

Eeler said she last saw Robinson on Valentine's Day, and that he told her he wouldn't live past his 25th birthday. She said he had problems for about six months with Joseph, who had been his good friend.

No motive for the shooting is known, police spokesman Jack Gillen said. He was unaware of any prior conflict between the two.

"There were witnesses," Gillen said. "The witnesses have either been interviewed here at the site or they have been transported to the police department for their statements."

Maria Brous, a Publix spokeswoman, said production in the fresh produce plant shut down for the day. She said the business has grief counselors on site.

Stay with TBO.com for more details.

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