PALATKA, Fla. -- Three people are dead after what officials are calling a double murder-suicide outside a popular Palatka restaurant Wednesday evening.
According to Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the shooting happened in the parking lot of Corky Bell's Seafood on U.S. 17 in East Palatka just before 7 p.m.
Witnesses say 30-year-old Johnny Stephenodonta Kemp approached 38-year-old Detret Latrell Burley and 40-year-old Travis Lavearl Hall as they drove into the parking lot, shot them and then shot himself.
Sources familiar with the situation said Kemp learned that Hall and Burley would be together at the restaurant and went there to confront them, investigators say.
Customers inside the restaurant were placed on lock-down immediately following the shooting. The lock-down was lifted around 8:30 p.m. and customers were walked to their cars by deputies after being interviewed.
Sgt. Hancel Woods said family and friends arrived at the scene of the shooting and helped investigators determine a motive for the shooting.
According to reports, Burley was trying to end a relationship with Kemp and jealousy appears to be his motive for the shooting.
The members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office wish to express their sincerest condolences to all three families who are attempting to cope with this incident.
Corky Bell's General Manager Mistie Bell Blevins released a statement to First Coast News Wednesday night:
We would first like to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers during this tragedy. Charles "Corky" Bell, his wife Betty, his family, and all of the crew at Corky Bell's Seafood of East Palatka are praying for the families, friends and loved ones involved. This dreadful incident occurred outside of our establishment, and is a completely isolated event not involving any employees or patrons.
On Friday, PCSO released some of the 911 calls made immediatley after the shooting. You can hear one of the calls below.
