Dontae Demetrius Diaz Sr., 32, of Palatka, Florida, was fatally shot on September 4, 2022, during a violent altercation that escalated into a shootout outside Vick’s Supper Club. The parking lot confrontation killed Diaz and another man, Luther Ward Jr., and left two others in critical condition. A large group had gathered when an argument broke out and gunfire followed.

Diaz was born November 18, 1989, in Jacksonville and graduated from Palatka High School. He ran several businesses, including Diaz Crew Transport LLC and Antpyle Media LLC, and co-owned Country Girls Seafood Shack LLC. He is survived by his fiancée, Arkeelia Evans, three children — Akeelah Martasia Diaz, Dontae Demetrius Diaz Jr., and Psalms Thurnell Demetrius Diaz — and his parents, Stephanie Curry and Antonio Diaz.

The Palatka Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the state attorney’s homicide investigative team are investigating. Investigators have information on a suspect but no arrest has been announced. Does anyone have information about the events in that parking lot that night?