A bump in a bar ended in a fatal shooting in the early morning hours of Aug. 17, 2024.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Willie Joe Frazier Jr. bumped into Joshua Howard at Mermaids Lounge in Spring Hill. Howard didn’t take too kindly to it and waited outside of the bar for Frazier to exit. When Frazier left the bar a few minutes after the encounter inside, Howard asked him, “Why he (Frazier) put his hands on him.”
After conversing briefly, Frazier walked away. Howard followed him and then Frazier “appeared” to punch Howard, according to the HCSO investigation. Howard then shot Frazier multiple times, which was caught on video surveillance. Frazier did not survive.
While attempting to flee on foot, Frazier also shot himself in the side when he tried to tuck the gun into his waistband. He was stopped by HCSO outside of a business near the intersection of Berkeley Manor Boulevard and Frontage Road.
Howard was taken to an area trauma center for treatment, where he was guarded by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
He has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder with a Firearm.
In addition to the 2nd degree murder charge, Howard is facing pre-existing felony charges from June of this year for no valid driver’s license and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officer.
