Argument ends in fatal shooting, North Port Police say

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.:

Fox 4 has obtained the police report, detailing what led up to the deadly shooting.

According to the report, there were several witnesses at the home who heard gunfire.

One witness told police they were outside and heard arguing, followed by four or five gunshots. When that witness went inside, the report says they found Lucas lying on the living room floor and Reinel holding a gun. That witness left and called police.

Another witness was able to describe what happened before shots were fired.

They said Reinel was upset with her, the witness, and Lucas because they were loud.

She told police while in the bathroom, she heard Lucas walk to Reinel's bedroom door and knock.

At one point, she heard them arguing and Lucas said, "don't point that at me if you're not going to use it," the report said.

Moments later, that's when the witness heard gunshots and found Lucas lying on the living floor, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

When the gunfire stopped, the witness heard Lucas say "you can stop, you hit me."

First responders rushed Lucas to the hospital, but he died on the way there, the report says.

About 10 hours after the shooting, detectives talked with another witness.

That witness, according to documents, told police Lucas video called her after he had been shot, telling her Lucas was shot by Reinel.

Reinel was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

ORIGINAL STORY:

After a year of zero homicide charges, police in North Port are recording their second homicide of 2025.

Police said two people who knew each other got into an argument that ended fatally on Rocliff Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The victim, 40-year-old Zachary Lucas, died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.

Michael Reinel, 26, is charged with homicide. Deputies booked him into the Sarasota County Jail around 9 a.m. on Friday, without bond.

"Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss. Every life taken by violence is one too many, and our department is committed to seeking justice," North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said in a statement.

While no homicide charges were recorded in North Port in 2024, this marks the second such incident in the early weeks of 2025.