Watch CBS News

Army Vet Killed Over 'Poker Room Table Talk,' 2 Arrested

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Two men are behind bars after a U.S. Army vet was gunned down outside a South Florida casino on Christmas night.

Those men appeared in court Tuesday morning.

The shooting happened at the Miccosukee Resort and Casino. Investigators say it began with "poker room table talk" that led to an argument between Kenin Bailey, Mikey Lenard and Marine Fernando Duarte.

"A little poker room talk at the table itself," said  Det. Flavio Rivera with the Miccosukee Police Department at the hearing Tuesday.

Duarte was asked to leave the poker room. Later, in the parking lot, police say, they all continued to argue.

At one point, investigators say, the two suspects cut off Duarte twice. The second time, Duarte got out of his car and approached the pair. Police say Bailey then opened fire, shooting off 13 rounds.

"The victim approaches the defendant's car, the doors close and the car is put into reverse and there's gunshots fired from the passenger side of the vehicle, as the vehicle drives in reverse," said Rivera.

Lenard is accused of driving the car as shots were fired.

Investigators say the two suspects then stopped at security to report what happened.

"At that point, the defendants' vehicle goes to the security, there's a security personnel there, and, with a gun in hand, approaches security stating that he had just shot somebody," said Rivera. "He goes, 'I shot someone. I shot someone in self-defense.'"

What caught the attention of prosecutors and the judge is the number of shots fired. Duarte was hit twice and went down right away, police say, but the gunfire did not stop.

"The firearm wasn't discharged once. It was discharged 13 times. The co-defendant continued to discharge the weapon even after the victim fell to the ground," said a prosecutor during Tuesday's hearing.

"The odd thing is the man's down and he continues to fire another multiple shots. There is probable cause for first-degree murder," ruled the judge.

Both men are being held without bond.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.