Man who Killed Orange East Side bar owner, still at large

A suspect who shot and killed the owner of a bar early on Friday morning on Orange County’s east side is still at large, Orange County deputies said.

The shooting happened at the Jay N Jay Bar located at 3800 S. Goldenrod Road, just before 5:30 a.m.

Witnesses told investigators, 52-year-old Julio Mejia, the bar owner, became involved in a verbal confrontation with a patron, the suspect.  The man pulled out a firearm and fired several rounds hitting Mejia.

Mejia was treated at the scene by Orange County Fire Rescue officials, but died on his way to Florida Hospital East.

Investigators learned that the suspect fled the scene in a red Nissan Cube vehicle.  He is believed to be a 25-year-old black male, about 6′ 2″ tall and weighing about 300 pound, deputies said.  He remains at large.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Crimeline at # 1-800-423-TIPS.