Winter Haven police are continuing the search for a man who shot and killed, 45-year-old bass guitarist, Ralph Ameduri, Jr., on Saturday night.
Ameduri was shot in the parking area behind Jessie’s Bar around 1:00 a.m. He was taken to Winter Haven Hospital, but died later at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was flown, following his emergency room visit.
An armed suspect was discovered robbing people in the area that evening and and is believed to have shot the victim in the head. The suspect then fled to 1st Street following the shooting.
Police have not named a suspect, but he is believed to be a black male between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, weighing 165-170 pounds and about 5’11” tall. He was seen wearing a black shirt and white shorts.
Investigators at the Winter Haven Police Department are linking with local businesses surrounding the bar in an effort to obtain surveillance video of the suspect.
Ameduri leaves behind his blues band, The Legendary JCs, which stands for the Joint Chiefs, established in 2000 in Central Florida. Ameduri played bass guitar for the group for seven years from 2001 to 2008.
On Saturday at 1:47 p.m., the band posted a photograph on their page commemorating their bandmate and friend calling him their mentor.
They stated, “He will be greatly missed not only for his superior musicianship but also his compassion for others, his humility, kindness, humor, thoughtfulness and his uncanny ability to get the band to the gig on time, no matter the circumstances. He was a pillar of the Central Florida music community for nearly 30 years!”
The band was unable to be reached for comment.
According to their Facebook page, the victim’s funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15 at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home at 90 S. Weathersfield Ave. in Altamonte Springs from 5 to 8 p.m.
