Investigators in Florida have said two business partners died after shooting each other over a disagreement just a few days after Christmas.
Xavier Figueroa, 39, and Akeido Bennett, 31, were found dead by police officers responding to a report of a shooting at around 3pm local time on 29 December.
Figueroa's body was found inside a business located at 3135 U.S. 92 East, near Fish Hatchery Road, while Bennett was found dead inside his truck which was located close to the business.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office did not release the name of the business, or the roles of each men involved. Both Figueroa and Bennett were from the city of Kissimmee in Florida.
Investigators working on the case believe Bennett may have tried to flee the scene after the shooting took place, which is why he was found inside his truck. He is believed to have died as a result of a gunshot injury.
Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office believe the two business partners 'mutually shot each other as a result of an ongoing dispute'. It is unclear what the men may have been fighting over prior to the shooting.
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In a statement on the matter, Sheriff Grady Judd described the incident as one which could have been avoided.
"This was an avoidable tragedy stemming from a disagreement between business partners. We all have an obligation to our friends, our families, and society at large to talk things out instead of turning to violence," Judd said.
The sheriff continued: "These men would still be alive today, and their families would not be grieving, had they been able to work out their differences civilly."
Police officers have confirmed the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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News of the two deaths comes as three other people were injured in a shooting in Daytona Beach, Florida on the night of 30 December.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a shopping centre located near North Nova and 6th Street, according to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young.
The three people involved included a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 20-year-old.
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All three victims were transported to hospital following the shooting and were determined to have non-life-threatening injuries, according to a spokesperson.
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting. No information regarding a possible suspect in the case or the events that led to the shooting have so far been released.
Emily Brown