LAKELAND, Fla. – The Lakeland city commissioner charged with fatally shooting a man he accused of shoplifting a hatchet from an Army-Navy surplus store has resigned, according to documents.
Michael Dunn, 47, submitted his letter of resignation Saturday, one day after a Polk County grand jury indicted him on a second-degree murder charge in the Oct. 3 shooting death of Cristobal Lopez.
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Read Dunn's letter to the city below:
"Dear Fellow Commissioners and Mayor Mutz,
It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter to you. Wherein I am tendering my resignation as Commissioner of the SW District of Lakeland effective October 20, 2018. Being born and raised in Lakeland, this city means a great deal to me and always will. Thank you to the residents of Lakeland for having given me the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Michael Dunn"
[LETTER OF RESIGNATION: Michael Dunn resigns as Lakeland city commissioner]
An attorney for the city said Dunn's resignation was effective upon receipt of the letter.
City officials said a meeting regarding plans to replace Dunn is scheduled to take place Friday at 8 a.m. at Lakeland City Hall.
Dunn, who claims he acted in self-defense in the shooting, could face a life sentence if convicted.
Surveillance video from the Vets Army Navy Surplus store appears to show Lopez trying to leave as Dunn grabs him by the shirt. Lopez is then seen holding onto the handle of the store front door while Dunn tries to pull him back inside the store, the video shows.
Dunn, who was holding a firearm in his other hand, lost his grip of Lopez's shirt and fired two shots, police say.
When police arrived at the store, Dunn was standing over Lopez and pointing his firearm at him, a probable cause affidavit says.
"I think he expired," he told police, according to the affidavit.
Lopez was shot in his left upper torso and his mid-back. He died at the scene, the document states.
Dunn did not render any aid to Lopez after the shooting, police said.
Click here to see Dunn's official letter of resignation.