Innocent Bystander Hospitalized After Shootout at Chevron Gas Station in New Port Richey
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — An innocent bystander was hospitalized on Saturday morning after a violent shootout broke out between two suspects at a Chevron gas station in New Port Richey, according to the New Port Richey Police Department (NPRPD).
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when two individuals began arguing in the gas station’s parking lot. The dispute quickly escalated, and both suspects started firing shots at each other. During the exchange, a nearby bystander was struck in the lower body by a stray bullet. The victim, who was not involved in the altercation, was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Neecie Taje, a bar employee across the street from the Chevron station at East Richey Square, described the scene as chaotic. She said the gunfire sent bullets flying across the street, with one bullet even striking the building she works in. “It was absolutely out of the norm. This never happens,” Taje said, recounting the tense moment when she saw the victim stumble toward the bar asking for help.
“He kind of stumbled over here and the day bartender let him in. He kind of staggered around,” Taje recalled. The injured man was reportedly pleading for assistance as he entered the bar.
Multiple bystanders immediately called 911, and police arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. Officers quickly secured the area and marked off the bar with yellow tape as part of the investigation.
Both suspects, identified as Santos Gonzalez and Eugene Grady, were located later and arrested. Gonzalez faces charges of second-degree attempted homicide, while Grady is facing two counts of second-degree attempted homicide and an additional charge of shooting into an occupied structure.
The shootout left the local community shaken, especially given that the gas station is a busy area frequented by locals. Taje expressed concern for the safety of the neighborhood, underscoring how unusual it is for such violent events to occur in the area.
“It’s a really quiet area, so this is just shocking,” Taje said. “We never expected something like this to happen.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not yet revealed further details about the motive behind the altercation. Authorities are continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses as they work to piece together the events leading up to the violent confrontation.
As of now, the identity of the injured bystander has not been released, and the community continues to process the unsettling event. Local residents, especially those who frequent the area, are left grappling with the impact of the violence on their once peaceful neighborhood.
Police continue to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward as the investigation unfolds.
