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Highlands Today

Driver In LP Shooting Death Arrested

COPS: HE SUPPLIED SHOOTER WITH FIREARM

Shane Ryan Fannin, 21

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: June 18, 2008

SEBRING — Detectives with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office have arrested the driver supposedly involved in the June 7 shooting death of a Lake Placid man and the shooting injury of a second man.

Shane Ryan Fannin, 21, of 12075 Payne Road, Sebring, was arrested on charges Wednesday in connection with the murder of Walter Enrique Vilchez and attempted murder of Jose Franklin Escalante, at 242 Phoenix Ave., in Lake Placid.

Fannin was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, and was being held without bond.

Andrew John Kalinowski, 21, of 917 Lake June Road, Lake Placid, was arrested on June 7, and charged with premeditated murder and attempted first-degree murder. He, too, was being held without bond Wednesday.

Each man had been shot once in the face, according to sheriff's records.

The incident began with a fight with several males involving Kalinowski and Fannin at the Hideaway Lounge parking lot late on June 6, according to Kalinowski's arrest report.

Kalinowski suffered injuries and became angry when he saw the injuries to his face.

Fannin was initially listed as a witness. However, detectives learned it was Fannin who drove Kalinowski from the bar to clean his wounds and change clothing. Both men then drove to an area where Kalinowski believed the males lived.

Fannin told investigators he drove his vehicle while Kalinowski directed him. As they approached Phoenix Avenue and Magnolia Avenue, they saw two individuals who had been involved in the fight.
As they approached 242 Phoenix Ave., Kalinowski got Fannin's gun from a console and jumped out of the car.

He approached the two victims while they sat on the porch.

Fannin told investigators he began to drive away and intended to leave Kalinowski when he heard gunshots and saw Kalinowski running after his vehicle.

Fannin told detectives he stopped and let Kalinowski in, then left with intentions of driving Kalinowski home. They were stopped by a Highlands County Sheriff's deputy on Lake June Road, the report stated.

The surviving victim in the shooting was still in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital, according to a sheriff's press release.

The cause of the fight remains unclear.

Sheriff Susan Benton complimented the interagency cooperation between the Lake Placid Police Department and the sheriff's detectives for their diligence in solving these serious crimes.

"They were spectacular," said Lake Placid Police Sgt. James Fansler, on Wednesday. "If ever there was a case where two agencies worked smoothly together, this was it. Everyone showed up and knew what they had to do."

People were critical about Lake Placid Police turning the case over to the sheriff's office, said Fansler.
"Why shouldn't we?" Fansler asked. "They had the resources, they had the manpower and they have the skilled people. I learned a lot working with them."

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