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Cigarette Dispute Leads To Shooting


By KEITH MORELLI & CHRIS CHMURA

OLDSMAR - A barroom squabble over cigarettes ended with gunfire early today. One man is hospitalized in critical condition, and the other is jailed.

The shots were captured on a 911 tape, as the alleged shooter had called just prior to pulling the trigger, according to Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies.

The incident began around 12:30 a.m. at KD’s Lounge, near the corner of West Hillsborough Avenue and Race Track Road on the Pinellas-Hillsborough County line, deputies said.

Scott Bapatisi, a 40-year-old seasonal employee of Tampa Bay Downs who also lives at the race track, was in the bar with a friend when they got into an argument with Craig Robert Auclair, 25.

The argument over cigarettes moved to the parking lot where Auclair pulled a gun from his vehicle, deputies said. He then called 911, and got the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on the line. While he was on the phone, shots rang out, deputies said.

Pinellas deputies arrived first and held Auclair until Hillsborough deputies arrived and took him to the Orient Road Jail.

Bapatisi was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital by helicopter, where he was listed in critical condition Monday, deputies said.

> See Jail Record

Auclair is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $7,500.

“The 911 tape will be turned over to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and will become evidence,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff’s spokesperson Debbie Carter in a statement.  It will not be released for the public to hear, said Carter.



Guns + Alcohol = T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

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