POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities said they have arrested and charged a man in connection to a shooting at a gas station in Pompano Beach that sent a man to the hospital.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives, 53-year-old Zalim Bacchus faces one charge of committing a first degree felony with aggravated battery.
Investigators said the incident took place at the Marathon station located at the intersection of South Dixie Highway and Southwest Third Street, just before 7:45 p.m. on Thursday.
Detectives said Bacchus and the victim got into an altercation before the shooting took place.
At one point, police scanners indicated that the victim was a clerk who was working at the gas station’s convenience store.
“It appears we’ve got the clerk, got shot in the stomach,” said a first responder in radio transmissions.
According to investigators, the clerk attempted to stop Bacchus after he walked out of the bathroom because he allegedly tried to hide a bottle of Sprite.
“Crime Victim then locked Bacchus inside the store and went to confront him. Crime Victim then stated that Bacchus pulled a gun on him and fired at him,” the arrest report states.
Surveillance video captured the moment deputies arrived at the scene. They found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds.
Paramedics with Pompano Beach Fire Rescue transported the patient to an area hospital for treatment.
Detectives said Bacchus was inside the convenience store and was detained. He was later placed under arrest.
The arrest report goes on to say that Bacchus “spontaneously uttered, ‘I shot him.'”
During Bacchus’ appearance in bond court, the public defender argued Bacchus was defending himself after being attacked by the clerk.
“He did advise me this happened at a convenience store and the alleged victim attacked him with a hammer then locked him inside so he had nowhere [inaudible] just to protect himself,” the public defender said.
Broward Circuit Court Judge Corey B. Friedman acknowledged the potential case for self-defense while ordering Bacchus to house arrest.
“It does say in the probable cause affidavit that the other individual went at him with a hammer so there may be a self-defense, defense argument there, I don’t know, it’s gonna have to be litigated further. But at this time, he will be on total home lockdown,” said Broward Circuit Court Judge Corey B. Friedman.
Friday morning, 7News cameras captured a green Kia Soul that had been parked next to a pump since Thursday night. Regular customers at the gas stations said it belongs to the clerk.
The shooting left people who work nearby feeling uneasy.
“That’s scary ’cause, I mean, what if I was here when that happened?” said Gabriela Golart, who works in the area.
As of Friday afternoon, the victim’s condition is unknown, as authorities continue to investigate this shooting.
Bacchus will be fitted for a GPS monitor upon posting bail. Once he does so, he has been ordered to stay away from the victim and not to possess any weapons while on house arrest.
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