Woman Claims She Shot A Man In Self-Defense; Police Charge Her With 2nd-Degree Murder

LAKELAND, FL — A Lakeland woman claimed self-defense after authorities accused her of shooting and killing a man early Sunday morning near Kentucky Boulevard, a Lakeland police news release said.

Witnesses told detectives they saw the victim, 31, and the suspect, 30-year-old Sharainnia Gornail hitting each other multiple times at the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Main Street outside Hookah Palace.

Officers said Gornail then walked to a nearby by vehicle and took out a gun. Witnesses said Gornail walked back to the victim just before 1 a.m. and shot him multiple times. She left the location shortly after in a vehicle driven by a friend.

The victim died of multiple gunshot wound injuries at Lakeland Regional Hospital, investigators said

Gornail sought treatment at the ER 24/7 on South Florida Avenue and told medical staff she had been involved in a shooting. Gornail and a witness who had driven her to the hospital were interviewed by law enforcement officials at the Lakeland Police Department.

Investigators said Gornail told them about the fight and shot the victim after she was allegedly punched in the face. She told deputies she shot the victim in self-defense; evidence and witness statements do not match what she claimed, police said. Gornail allegedly shot the victim after there was no longer a threat to her safety.

Officers arrested Gornail on charges of second-degree murder, Lakeland police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Cory Lawson at 863.834.6900 or Cory.Lawson@lakelandgov.net.

*The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy's Law.