Surveillance video released by Lakeland Police Department shows the violent ending when shoplifter Christobal Lopez was fatally shot by Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn.

LAKELAND — Cameras were operating in the Army Navy Surplus store in North Lakeland to protect the business.

One of those surveillance cameras could prove to be a serious legal test for City Commissioner Michael Dunn.

Lakeland police Monday released video of Dunn shooting a 50-year-old man in the side as the man attempted to leave Dunn's store.

The video, taken from the Vets Army Navy Surplus Store at 819 N. Florida Ave., shows Christobal Lopez trying to break away from Dunn's grasp as Lopez opens the door to leave the building.

In the final moments of the Oct. 3 confrontation, Lopez is holding what appears to be a hatchet police said was stolen from the store and Dunn seemingly trying to block the man's exit.

Dunn, pointing a handgun at Lopez, grabs his shirt and tries to pull him back into the store. When Lopez breaks free, Dunn fires into Lopez's side.

District 10 Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Nelson has said Lopez died from two gunshot wounds.

After the shots were fired, Dunn can be seen holding the door of the business open as Lopez's body twitches, positioned face down on the concrete pavement at the entrance. Dunn continues to point the gun, a Glock, at Lopez's body as he holds the door open for about 15 seconds before walking outside. He stays outside for most of the remaining three minutes left on the video as Lopez lies motionless on the ground. At one point, Dunn peers back inside the store.

Police released four videos from that afternoon showing different angles inside the store. In the first video, Lopez can be seen putting what appears to be the hatchet into the front of his pants. Dunn sees Lopez put the hatchet into his pants, stands up from his office chair and places a handgun into the back of his waistband. Lopez and his father were shopping for hats before the shooting occurred, Dunn's attorney, Rusty Franklin has said previously.

Lakeland Police Department spokesman Gary Gross said no charges have been filed in the case. He directed any inquiries to the State Attorney's Office.

State Attorney Brian Haas said he expects the investigation to be finished by the end of the week. Haas declined to discuss details of the investigation, including why the video was released Monday.

Franklin also declined comment. He said they were cooperating with investigators on the case. Dunn, who did not return a phone message, was not present for a city commission meeting Monday.

Previously, Franklin declined to discuss defense strategies during a press conference he held the day after the shooting, including whether Dunn would claim it was a "stand your ground" incident.

The Florida law allows people to use deadly force if they face "imminent death or great bodily harm."

Another portion of state statute says a person "has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground'' if he or she thinks deadly force is necessary to prevent death, great bodily harm or commission of a forcible felony like robbery.

Bartow defense lawyer John Liguori said the surveillance video shows that Dunn has a case for self-defense during a robbery.

"I'm not so sure this is a stand your ground case, but I do think he has a strong self-defense argument," Liguori said. "If he thought his use of deadly force was reasonable and necessary to prevent great bodily harm to himself then the law shields him."

Liguori said two to four seconds of the video will make a difference in the case. When Dunn reaches and grabs Lopez's shirt, Lopez spins on him, Liguori said.

"If Lopez tried to brush away the gun with his hand he may have invited deadly force," Liguori said.

Liguori said Haas may choose to present the case to a grand jury to allow them to decide whether Dunn will be charged. He predicted manslaughter would be the most serious charge Dunn would face. A spokesman with the State Attorney's Office declined comment when asked whether a grand jury planned to hear the case.

Dunn has been a city commissioner since January.

Dunn could be suspended from office by the governor if he is arrested for a felony or misdemeanor, according to state statute. Commissioners could decide to vote Dunn off the commission if he is convicted of a felony, said Kevin Cook, a spokesman with the city.

Since there are more than six months remaining in Dunn's term, the commission would fill the vacancy on an interim basis by a majority vote and schedule a special election to be held within 60 to 90 days after he was removed.

Lopez lived most of his life in Hardee County, according to an obituary. He worked as a laborer in agriculture.

In addition to his father, the obituary states he had three brothers and four sisters.

He was buried Monday at Friendship Cemetery in Zolfo Springs.

John Chambliss can be contacted at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588.