Police: Man kills 3 co-workers over prank

Updated: 6/03/2013 12:23 pm
OCALA, Fla. -- A man was arrested on charges of fatally shooting three of his co-workers after one of them "punked" him and videotaped it, Ocala police officials said.

Investigators said the three men were fatally shot outside a downtown Ocala bar shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.

According to police, the shooting victims were found on the sidewalk outside of AJ's on the Square, located at 11 E. Silver Springs Boulevard.

Police said two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The third later died at a nearby hospital.

The victims were identified as 20-year-old Jerry Bynes, Jr., 25-year-old Josue Santiago and 23-year-old Benjamin Howard.

Witness Cort Halliburton told WFTV he was in the area at the time and heard the gunshots.

"I get out of my car and I hear, 'Bam, bam, bam, bam!'" Halliburton said.

During the investigation, police said they identified Andrew Lobban, 31, as a person of interest. Lobban worked with the three victims as bouncers at the Ocala Entertainment Complex, officials said.

According to police, Lobban admitted to shooting his co-workers. He told investigators one of the victims had recently "punked" him and videotaped it.

Loban told police that before the killings, the four went out shooting together and the three victims pulled a prank on Lobban. He said they rigged his gun so it would not fire, shot video of it, and then teased him about the incident.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn said he was shocked to learn about the triple murder.
"That's just ridiculous, it makes no sense. It's senseless that three people lost their lives. It's a sad situation," Guinn said.
Officials said Lobban had been feeling resentment towards the victims since the incident.

"When they told me he was shot and killed I was shocked. I mean, I never thought one of my friends would be shot and killed, especially someone I have known for so long," said Reid. "I know it may have hurt his feelings and embarrassed him, but that still doesn't give you the right to take somebody's life."

Lobban was booked into the Marion County Jail and is facing three counts of first-degree murder.

About 100 people held a candle light vigil at the Ocala Entertainment Complex Sunday night to remember the victims.

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