Hotel Room Fight Takes Deadly Turn

SARASOTA, FL — A fight between two coworkers took a deadly turn Wednesday night when Manatee County deputies say a 55-year-old man was knocked to the ground and hit his head on a tile floor.

According to the agency, Anthony Lewis, 55, and Oriot Zunga, 34, both of Orlando, were staying at the 7510 N. Tamiami Trail Ramada Inn for work. The two men along with two coworkers were in the area to pass out fliers in parking lots and neighborhoods, an email from the agency said.

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Around 11 p.m., the four men were in their hotel room when Lewis and Zuniga got into a fight. Lewis is accused of striking Zuniga “four or five times in the face.” Zuniga, deputies say, “defended himself and struck Lewis once in the face.”

Zuniga’s punch, however, sent Lewis backwards. He hit his head on the hotel room’s tile floor and was rendered unconscious.

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Deputies say paramedics were called to the scene, but could not revive Lewis. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He would have turned 56 on Thursday, Aug. 24, the sheriff's office's email indicated.

The Medical Examiner's Office reported early Thursday evening that the death appears to have been related to a medical episode. The case remains under investigation with no charges announced at this time.

Further information is not yet being released.

Image via Shutterstock