A late‑night confrontation outside Wally’s Poolhall in Lakeland turned deadly early Thursday morning, leaving 48‑year‑old Steven Michael Magee fatally wounded in the parking lot of the business at 1136 East Main Street. The shooting occurred around 12:35 a.m. on March 5, 2026, after an argument broke out between two patrons who had earlier been inside the establishment.
According to investigators, both men walked outside shortly after midnight, where the dispute escalated. One of the individuals, later identified as 23‑year‑old Kevin Lamont Reed Jr., drew a handgun and opened fire. Magee, who was armed, returned fire during the exchange. It remains unclear whether Reed was struck during the volley of shots.
Officers arrived within minutes and immediately began life‑saving measures on Magee, who had suffered critical injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives processed the parking lot for evidence, collecting shell casings and reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Later that evening, Lakeland Police located Reed at his residence and took him into custody around 10 p.m. He now faces charges of Second‑Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Investigators noted that although both men had been inside Wally’s Poolhall earlier in the night, they did not interact until the confrontation outside.
Witnesses told detectives that the argument appeared sudden, with no indication beforehand that tensions were escalating. The shooting has raised concerns among nearby residents and business owners, who described the incident as a rare but alarming burst of violence in the area. Police have continued to interview witnesses and review additional footage to determine what sparked the dispute.
As the investigation continues, the Lakeland community is mourning the loss of Steven Michael Magee. Detectives are urging anyone who may have additional information about the events leading up to the shooting to contact the Lakeland Police Department. The case remains active as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the deadly exchange.
