(WFLA) A Central Florida city commissioner who owns a local military surplus store is at the center of death investigation after police say he gunned down a man trying to steal a hatchet. Lakeland Police were called to a shooting at Vets Army Navy Surplus just after 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the store's owner, city commissioner Michael Dunn, told them he noticed a man in the store trying to sneak off with a hatchet he didn't pay for. Police say a fight then broke out when Dunn confronted the man, 50-year-old Cristobal Lopez. That's when Dunn reportedly shot Lopez, hatchet still in hand. "He's not a violent person, I've never even seen him get mad," explained Angelice Smith who owns a hair salon next to Dunn's shop. "It was probably a him or me situation, unfortunately."Newschannel 8 interviewed Dunn about store security last year. As a weapons dealer he said it was a responsibility he didn't take lightly. Still in shock from what went down next door, Angelice Smith says it's a harsh reminder that crime can still hit no matter the precautions you take. "You just gotta keep living day to day and have faith," she said. No one else was injured in the shooting, including Lopez's father who was in the store with him at the time. Newschannel 8 reached out to the Dunn family who said they have no comment at this time.

(WFLA) A Central Florida city commissioner who owns a local military surplus store is at the center of death investigation after police say he gunned down a man trying to steal a hatchet.

Lakeland Police were called to a shooting at Vets Army Navy Surplus just after 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the store's owner, city commissioner Michael Dunn, told them he noticed a man in the store trying to sneak off with a hatchet he didn't pay for.


Police say a fight then broke out when Dunn confronted the man, 50-year-old Cristobal Lopez. That's when Dunn reportedly shot Lopez, hatchet still in hand.

"He's not a violent person, I've never even seen him get mad," explained Angelice Smith who owns a hair salon next to Dunn's shop. "It was probably a him or me situation, unfortunately."

Newschannel 8 interviewed Dunn about store security last year. As a weapons dealer he said it was a responsibility he didn't take lightly.

Still in shock from what went down next door, Angelice Smith says it's a harsh reminder that crime can still hit no matter the precautions you take.

"You just gotta keep living day to day and have faith," she said.

No one else was injured in the shooting, including Lopez's father who was in the store with him at the time.

Newschannel 8 reached out to the Dunn family who said they have no comment at this time.

