Lakeland police say a teenager was shot and killed by a security guard early Saturday morning after the teen fired what turned out to be pellet shots into the guard's face.
The 15-year-old was shot at the Willow Glen Apartments on Gilmore Avenue shortly before 5 a.m., police say.
According to Lakeland police, security guard Shawn Plain, 19, said he was in the complex's laundry room charging his cellphone when he saw a young man come in and point a handgun at him. Plain said he felt several stinging sensations on his face and thought he had just been shot in the face, police said.
Plain said he saw what he thought were several more people, many with handguns, looking into the laundry room, so he drew his weapon and chased them into the parking lot.
That's when police say Plain shot the teenager
The other suspects fled from the scene and have not been apprehended.
Plain went back to the laundry room to get his cell phone and call 911. Then he went to the teen, who asked Plain to call an ambulance and apologized for shooting at him, police say.
The teen later died as a result of the gunshot injury.
Plain was taken to Lakeland Regional Health where he was treated for two pellet wounds to the face. Police say they recovered a Ruger pellet gun on the pavement in the area.
Police say the teen was a documented associate gang member.
The investigation continues.
Police say this Ruger pellet handgun was recovered from the scene of the shooting. (Lakeland Police Department)