LAKELAND, Fla. — Polk County deputies said a business dispute turned into a deadly shootout.
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The shooting happened Thursday afternoon at a business located at 3135 U.S. 92 East in Lakeland.
Deputies said they believe the shooting happened between 31-year-old Akeido Bennett of Kissimmee, and 39-year-old Xavier Figueroa, who are Kissimmee business partners.
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Investigators said the men mutually shot each other as a result of an on-going dispute.
Figueroa died at the scene and Bennett died from a gunshot injury as he attempted to flee from the business in his truck.
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“This was an avoidable tragedy stemming from a disagreement between business partners,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “We all have an obligation to our friends, our families, and society at large to talk things out instead of turning to violence. These men would still be alive today, and their families would not be grieving, had they been able to work out their differences civilly.”
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Deputies said an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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