Brave father stops shooter during Father's Day dinner at winghouse

OCALA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Ocala Police told FOX 35 it’s a case of self-defense turning into murder— right outside a restaurant full of diners.

The shooting happened outside the Wing House of Ocala on E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Witness, Matthew Boyd, said “I saw a guy run in front of us, then next thing you know, we started hearing a popping noise.”

Boyd added “…Turned and saw what was going on. Gentleman shooting at another guy.”

Outside, in the parking lot, police found Jonathan Sullivan, of Ocala, lying in the parking lot--shot in the chest, back, and side. Police say Sullivan punched 23-year-old Robert Bavle earlier, then Bavle pulled out a semi-automatic gun and shot at Sullivan— who police say he somehow knew. Unarmed, police say Sullivan started running away—while Bavle kept shooting.

Ocala Police Captain, Steve Cuppy said "Until the victim ended up falling on the ground. Once on the ground, the shooter continued shooting. There were additional shots at the victim as he lay on the ground.”

Sullivan died on the way to the hospital

Captain Cuppy said "The distance between the initial punch and that final resting place is 50 about feet.”

Bavle tried to run away, but Matthew Boyd didn’t let him get far. Boyd was eating dinner with his daughter when he and another man tackled Bavle to the ground.

Boyd said "I told him to put his hands behind his back and I held him until the police got here.”

The restaurant’s manager tells FOX 35 no employees were hurt. Police are now reviewing surveillance video.